Imperial Valley press., 1917-01-30

That over million and half of people use the
National Forests as Fairgrounds each year was the
statement made by Henry S. Graves chief of the For
est Service before the American Forestry Association
which met recently at Washington, D. C.
Located they are, said Mr.. Graves, "he Nation
al Forests comprise many regions of superb scenery and
unexceled recreation attraction In very real sense
these attractions of the forests constitute natural
source that must be safeguarded utilized and developed
MI. Graves stated that quarter Of century had
passed since the establishment of the first national for
ests by law which marked the beginning of and
enlightened method of public land administration
The nineteenth century land system, he said, was one
wholly of land distribution which successful as ap-
piled agricultural lands but unsuccessful as applied
non-agrcuural lands chiefly valuable for growing tim
ber The keynote Of the present day policy is
such disposition, and development of the public
lands will render maximum service to the public
"The country has recognized that public lands of
chief value for forest purposes and essential to protect
water resources should remain under public CONTROL
Mr.. Graves continued. "The struggle is as to
who shall and control the public water-power sites
the COAL OIL phosphate and potassium deposits and the
grazing lands that not suited to development
by individuals under any Of the homestead laws
Eleven states in the East have invited the govern
ment to establish national forests in their borders by
purchase Of mountain lands, while others have inaug
rated policy of acquiring state forests Underlying
this movement is the recognized principle that there
public interests in mountain forests that cannot will
ownership Of timber lands has been for the most part
speculative and temporary in character Where public
interests involved the public must protect itself by
direct ownership, cooperation, and ultimately by
ure Of regulation
More and more of the larger private holdings are
being posted with mo Trespassng" signs, Mr.. Graves
said and closed to the public The closing of private
lands points to the value Of publicly forest lands
where people living in cities and hot agricultural regions
can find opportunity for the refreshnen and recre
alton that can be secured by sojou1n in the forests
tho bioh
not generally known, have wealth of scenic beauty
MIR. Graves said. very practical problem, he stated
is that of opening and making these great public prop
critics available for wide possible by people of
little means well as by the wealthy.
In the national forests Of Colorado alone there were
last summer $4,000 visitors. Thousands in auto
mobiles and used the roads built by the forest service
der the law which provides that per cent of all receipts
OF the national forests shall be spent for road and trail
building.
The recreation features of the national forests are
fostered in variety Of ways Areas of scenic value are
set aside camping sites and withdrawn from any
use which would reduce their beauty. Roads and trails
are built by the forest service to open up points of scenic
interest streams stocked with fish, and sites for
mer homes be leased for long periods.
About $4,000 miles Of trails and 5000 miles of roads
have been built the forests Mr. Graves stated Con-
gress has appropriated special fund Of S10000000 for
road building in the national forests which will become
available at the rate of 100000 year This money
added to the S250,000 annually available from the
receipts OF the forests will result in opening up many
regions now inaccessible for industrial and also for
recreation.
In developing the recreatona resources Of the for
ess we planning Systematically and far ahead said
Mr. Graves. PROBLEMS of landscape and sanitary
gneering present themselves in large numbers and we
have associated with distinguished landscape engi
to guide work Our system Of scenic highways
when worked out will be comprehensive in character and
ultimately routes Of tourist travel will be furnished with
comfortable hotels and rest houses This development
will be of great economic Importance to the local COM
nuntes, both account Of the added business which
the tourist trade will bring and the permanent improve
lnents which will be made"