Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-04-05
TO SAVE OUR STREAMS
Government Prepared to Pur-
chase Needed Lands

last week in the Gazette with refer
ence to the purchase of land in
Rockbridge and other counties OF
Virginia by the U. S. Government
as reservation, the following circu-
lar issued by Secretary Wilson will |
be read with interest:
The circular which the depart
ment is now having printed is in
tended to give information to the !
public as to where and what kinds
of land are wanted. Owners of land
the purchase Of which will be con-
sidered by the Government are ex-
pected on the basis Of this iuforma-
ton to make known to the Forest
Service. which will conduct the
work for the Department of Agri-
culture, their desire to sell.
The law is not restricted to par
ticular regions, except that lands
may be bought only in the States
whose Legislatures have consented
TO the acquisition Of land by the
United States for the purpOse Ct
preserving tue navigability of
streams The States which have
already taken the necessary action
are Maryland. Virginia, North Car
DINA, West Virginia, South Caro-
lima, Maine, Georgia, New Hamp-
shire and Tennessee,
Timbered lads may be bought
either with the timber standing or
with the reservation by the owner
of the right to cut it under certain
rules to provide fer perpetuation of
the forest. These rules will form q
part Of the agreement for the pur-
chase OF land.
Since, however, the Government
cannot pay high prices it is not re-
garded as probable that much land
bearing heavy stand OF merchant
able timber can be bought Culled
and Cutover lands can be bought, as
well as land covered with brush.
which is useful for watershed pro-
lection, burned land and abandoned
farm land, whether cleared or partly
or wholly covered by young timber
growth. Good agricultural lands
will not be considered. Owners
may reserve the right to reserve
valuable mineral deposits which are
known to exist.
Proposals will be received fcr
small as well as for large tracts, al
though small tracts can be examined
only where the purchase of consid-
cradle total of land in the same
neigh borhood is under considera-
ton With regard to the price
which can be paid Secretary Wilson
indicates that the policy of the CON-
mission will be to make the availa-
BILE money go as far as possible.
For the most part said the Sec
rotary, we shall buy cutover lands
or lands without much merchanta
BILE timber. want to make it plair
at the start that shall recommend
this class of land only when it is of
fered very cheap. Proffers OF LAND
at exorbitant prices will not be con
sidered. l am frank to say that
hope to see a great deal OF publ,
spirit manifested by land owners
expect some lands TO be offered a
merely nominal prices in order t
aid the Government in getting vel
/ started upon this wise and neces
sary policy.
The lands acquired by the Gov
eminent will be held as nationa
forests. They will be protecte,
from fire and the growth OF the tim
: Der will be improved as much a
2 possible. The land will not be gam
= preserves, but will continue to b
d open to the public for hunting an
D fishing, in accordance with the law
- of the State in which situated a
O their resources will be available 70
: the public under reasonable cond
2 tons. Another point which l wis
II to emphasize is that we are not goin
n to take from the people their home
e in order to put the lands into N;
% tional forests"
q =. Il. !. % 4