The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-02-18
COMMISSION URGES GOV.
ERNMENT OWNERSHIP
OF 100000 Acres for National For.
ests in the East

and 100000 acres in the White Noun
tain region Of New England to form
national forests for the protection o.
the watersheds Of navigable streams
in the East, is urged by the Nationa
Forest Reservation Commission in it,
latest report.
The Commission has approved for
purchase so far l,l0j, 529 acres in New
Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia
North and South Carolina, Tennessee,
and Georgia, in accordance with tn,
Weeks Law, which appropriated SILL.
10000 for this work, though only
about SS,000000 will have been spent
by July /, when the appropriation will
expire.
A further appropriation providing
for continued purchases until 1920 al
the current rate of S2,000,000 a year is
recommended by the Commission
Under the terms of the Weeks Law,
passed March /, 1911, 81 100000 was
made available for expenditure prior
to July of that year and $4,000, 600
annually thereafter for five years. Be
cause of the time required to examine
and survey the lands and negotiate
with owners, the expenditures in the
early years Of the work were less than
the amounts appropriated.
The lands thus far approved for
purchase have been obtained on what
are regarded as very reasonable terms
The average price is $500 per acre, I'M
volving total expenditure of $780,
20221, exclusive of the cost Of exam
nation and survey. About one-third
of the area is virgin timberland, and.
while most of the remainder has been
cut over or culled, much valuable tim
Der is standing on 1t also. In 1914 the
purchases approved comprised 39l ia
acres at the relatively low price Of
$4.96 per acre. Areas in which land is
to be purchased have been designated
also in Alabama, Maine, and Mary
land, but no purchases in these states
have yet been approved by the Com
Many of the tracts which are being
says the report, present at
Iractive scenery and afford delightful
places in which to travel or rest. Some
IF the most attractive spots have been
but the roads and trails |
which are being built by the Forest
Service will make it easier to reach |
hem. Persons who desire to occupy |
permanent camp sites, or places in
which to erect resorts, may obtain
hem on payment of moderate fee.
Other special uses which do not injure
he forest are likewise permitted, and
for such uses have already
,een made in considerable volume.
Since the uses of the acquired lands
ire beginning to take form, says the
eport, it is becoming clear to the pub
ic that the forests are to serve the
everal regions in a number of impor-
ant ways. Perhaps their greatest use
5 in the control of forest fires. Roads,
rails, and telephone lines will greatly
the protection from fire not
My on the governments land but also
n private and state lands adjacent to
he national forests. In addition, the
ange can be more completely utilized,
he water resources will be more read
v available to the public and the gen
raj use of the mountains will be in
reased
The Forest Service has already be-
un making Improvements. Ninety
wo miles of roadway, $40 miles Of
rail, and 25 miles of telephone line
ave been constructed. This work can ;
e still further extended as soon as /
roceeds from timber sales begin to 8
ome in, as 10 per cent Of the forest !
eceipts is specifically set apart by law
,r road and trail construction. Not :
My will the localities affected benefit :
! this way, but it is provided by law +
lso that Is per cent of the forest re-
sipts be paid over to the counties ]
fected for roads and schools. \
The virgin timberland which is be- S
Il acquired contains many trees that s
re over-mature, and. the stands par ;
ally cut over contain certain kinds Of ,
mber which were not utilized at the \
me Of numbering. These lands, where :
lere is a sale for the timber at fair i
rices, will be freed of this deteriorat- r
u material, as we'll as of such other 7
azure growth as can be spared from Y
lie forest without impairing its pro-
ctive influence. The policy of admin
tration in these forests will call for S
imerous small timber contractors liv- h
e near at hand and working in the a
mber all or part Of the year. Those f
no may desire TO live on government h