The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-15
GOVT. OWNERSHIP
OF 100000 ACRES
In Eastern Section Of the United States
Is Urged By National Forest Res
ervation Commission.

100000 acres of non agricultural land
should be secured by the federal govern
ment in the southern Appalachians and
900, 900 acres in the White mountain r.
gion of New England to form national
forests for the protection OF the water
sheds OF nayigable streams in the last,
Is urged by the national forest reserva-
ton commission in its latest report
The commission has approved fo' pur-
chase l.l04 $50 acres in New Hamp-
shire, Virginia West Virginia, North and
South Carolina Tennessee and Georgia,
in accordance with the Weeks law, which
appropriated 81 100000 for this work,
though only about $S,00p,O0O will have
been spent by July !, when the appro-
priation will expire.
A further appropriation providing for
continued purchases until 1920 a. the
current rate of $2,000000 a year is rec
commended by the commission. Under
the terms of the Weeks law, passed
March |. 1911. 81 100000 was made avail
able for expenditure prior to July ! OF
that year and S2,000,000 annually there
after for five years. Because of the time
required TO examine and survey the lands
and negotiate with owners, the expendl-
lures in the early years OF the work were
less than the amounts appropriated.
The lands thus far approved for pur-
chases have been obtained on what are
regarded as very reasonable terms. Iil7
average price is S5.03 per acre, involving
a total expenditure OF 5000 ,2O2.2l, ex-
elusive of the cost of examination and
survey. About one-third of the area IS
virgin timberIand, and while most Of
the remainder has been cut over or culled.
much valuable timber is standing on It
also. In 1914 the purchases approved
comprised 39lll4 acres at the relatively
low price Of S4.96 per acre. Areas in
which land is to be purchased have been
designated also in Alabama, Maine, and
Maryland, but no purchases in these
states have yet been approved by the
commission.
Many OF the tracts which are being
acquired. says the report. present at
tractive scenery and afford delightful
nlsces in which to travel or rest. Some
Of the most attractive spots have been
inaccessible, but the roads and trails
which are being built by the forest serv-
ice will make it easier TO reach them.
Persons who desire to occupy permanent
camp sites, or places in which to erect
resorts, may obtain them on payment
OF a moderate fee. Other special uses
which do not injure the forests are like
wise permitted, and demands for such
uses have already been made in consid-
cradle volume.
Since the uses of the acquired lands
AL fhn ne
port. it is becoming cl.ar TO the pubic
that the forests are TO serve the sew
eral regions in number Of important
ways. Perhaps their greatest use Is IN
the control Of forest fires Roads trails,
and telephone lines will greatly facili-
tate the protection from fire not only on
the governments land but also on pri-
yate and state lands adjacent TO the ma
tional forests. In addition the range can
be more completely utilized. the water
resources viii be more readily available
20 the public aud the general use Of IL
mountains will be increased.
The forest service has already begun
making improvements. Ninety-two miles
of roadway. 500 miles Of trail and p
miles Of telephone line have been cOn-
str,eted. This work can be still further
extended as soon as proceeds from timber
sales begin TO come in, a. 10 per cent. OF
the forest receipts is specifically set apart
by law for road and trail construction.
Not only viii the localities affected bene
fl in this way. hut il Is provided by law
also that 25 per cent. Of the forest re-
GENTS be- paid over 10 the counties Affect
ed for roads and schools.
The virgin timberland which is beirr
acquired contains many trees that are
over mature. and the stands partially ut
over contain certain kinds Of timber
which were not utilized at the time of
numbering. These lands, where there -
a sale for the timber AZ fair prices. viii (
be freed OF this deterioratiug material. I
as well as Of such other mature growth
as can h. SHARED from the forest without 1
impairine IL protective influence. The
policy of administration in these forests
win cau for numerous small timber con-
tractors living near az hand and working I
In the timber an or a part Of the year. /
Those who may desire TO live on gov /
eminent land viii have every opportunity 4
10 develop comfortable homes, and use I
available cleared patches for their gar
dcns and crops Thus. SAYS the report I
the forests win b. made permanent. and 4
thriving forest communities viii b. built /
up.
The forests vii also serve AZ practi- 1
cal denominations 81 forestry IN the 4
production Of successive crops 81 timber. 1
Government ownership and management 4
of these extensive areas IN the eastern I
mountains viii further benefit the couu-
try by providing encouragement and aid !
FOR the mountain people ia using the ~.
sources of THE region 90 best adrantae..
The nation Is getting. from tbs acqnisi-
lon 81 national forests in the Fast The
added advantage ~ large and imp@
taut region turned 20 iis natural use and
made permanently ureductive, While Tire
protection 81 watersheds viii IN = large
measure. produce immunity from both
Good and low watef IN a vast section O.
he country
FrolH the approprsation fer Iala there
i an estimated halance a ueariy SO a0o