The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-06
EXP PLANTATION BY
DIR. GEO. 0. SMITH
His Position is Clear
About Weeks Bill
Secretary of the Interior Fisher
States That He Believes That the
Geological Survey Is in No Way
Responsible for the Delay In Pur-
chasing Lands Under the Bill.


chasing Lands Under the Bill.
The people of this State and es-
pecially this town and county are in
terested in the work of DR.. George
Otis Smith, Director of the United
States Geological Survey. Many of
the papers have seen fit to criticize
him in the matter of the Weeks Act
but even these papers are now in
clined to believe that they were too
hasty. DR.. Smith gives an explana-
ton in the matter in letter to this
Office that shows a clear idea of the
situation:
Editor ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
Skowhegan, Maine.
Dear SIR
Certain New England papers con-
tinue to refer to the charges against
the United States Geological Survey
and myself in connection with the ad-
ministration of the Weeks Act. These
charges as originally made were
supported by distorted facts and spe-
Gifted inaction and official obstruction,
as well as unwarranted assumption
of authority
To the first charge of non-action,
| Secretary of the Interior Fisher, a
member of the National Forest Reser-
vation Commission, and until recently
vice president of the American Con
servation association, made immediate
reply:
MY attention has been called to
number of news reports and edi-
torial articles criticising Director
George Otis Smith, of the United
States Geological Survey, for his at
titude toward the purchase of land
under the Weeks Act, commonly
known as the White Mountain and
Appalachian Bill.
Il was an ardent advocate of the
passage of this act, and believe in its
vigorous and liberal administration,
but Director Smith is entitled to have
me say, as | do, that since my ap-
pointment as Secretary of the In
terror l have been in touch with the
work under the Weeks Act, SO far as
it in any way concerns the Depart
ment of the Interior, and in my judg-
ment the Geological Survey is in no
way responsible for the delay that
has occurred in the purchase of
lands under the appropriation avail
able for the current year.
THE year does not expire until
June 30 and | think an extended dis
cussion of the facts would not be ap-
propriate until after the next meet
ing of the Commission, which is ex-
pected to be held next week. 1t is
proper to say. however, that the
Weeks Act requires the Geological
Survey to determine and report upon
certain questions upon the answers to
which the constitutionality of the act
itself may depend and which cannot
be perfunctory.'
To the contention that the law new
er contemplated a real examination
and determination of facts by the
Geological Survey, l can quote not
only Secretary Fishers statement but
also the law itself and especially the
words of Representative Weeks him
self, on June "a, 1910. when he was
pleading the case of his bill before
the House. He referred to the provi-
sion for an impartial determination
of facts by the Geological Survey in
these words:
This bill designated the geologi-
cal survey as the determinative agent.
| ask those who allege that the prin-
cipal support of this measure comes
from mere forestry enthusiasts and
land spectators whether this provi-
sion is not complete refutation OF
that idea. The surveys record is
clean. No one can justly claim that
in its reports and decisions it has
ever been Influenced by other than
purely physical and scientific facts,
as it saw and interpreted them"
AS evidence that not only the Geo
logical Survey but the National For
est Reservation Commission itself
purposes to act in accordance with
the letter and spirit of the law,
may quote the statement of Secretary
of War Stimson as Chairman of the
Commission. Secretary Stimson is
officially connected with the Ameri-
can Conservation Association as a di-
rector.
In concluson I may repeat the state
ment already published elsewhere,
that even had the necessary field ex-
animation in the White Mountains
been possible before June go, fav
orable report by the Geological Sur
vey could not have saved" the ap-
preparation of 100000 for this fiscal
year inasmuch as the asked price for
the 36,338 acres of culled and cut
over land is less than $260000. Again,
it should be noted that the Commits
sion has been unwilling to authorize
as yet the purchase of a 10000 acre
tract in Tennessee, reported upon
favorably by both the Forest Service
and the Geological Survey. This in
line with their conservative policy OF
giving heed to considerations of bus
mess economy and of constitutional
ity under the Federal Statute.
Very respectfully,
GEO. OTIS SMITH,