Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-10-28
FRIDAY, OCTOBER rs, 1921

Like every weekly paper in the state, the Re-
view is receiving considerable prepared matter
from the Milwaukee Journal to be used in advan-
cling its plan to buy through public subscription,
tract of virgin timber land in Price and Taylor
counties, to be used as a state park. We would
be glad to assist in the matter if it was ques-
ton of state parks only, although we object to
asking private individuals to finance public bene-
fits just as we object to sprinking the streets OF
Eagle River by the same method. Public bene-
fits should be borne by all the taxpayers thereby
benefited according to our notions of fairness.
Although the great necessity for chain of
state parks does not strike us as forcby as it has
the Journal yet they would no doubt be enjoyed
by great many, and the time to create parks is
before the virgin timber has been removed from
the areas. The Tenderfoot Lake region in Villas
county, is another spot under consideration by +.
the Journal for another link in the chain of state
parks. AS described by the Journal and men we
know to be familiar with the country it is admir-
ably adapted to the purpose. If the people OF
Wisconsin want it reserved to the extent OF being
willing to buy it we have no objection. Governor
Blaine vetoed all bills bearing on the creation of
state parks and and forest reserve, on the ground
that the return in value would not warrant the
amount of taxation that would be required to fl
nance the undertakings and we believe he dis
played much more regard for the welfare of the
taxpayers, than the supporters of the measures
did or do now.
What we shall oppose as strongly as possible.
and the journal candidly admits that the estab-
lishment of state parks is only the beginning of
campaign to install reforestation on large scale
after the parks have played their part in educa-
ting the people to the beauty and value of wood
lands grown from Seed as The mighty oak from
the tiny acorn was wont to grow and still
grows-at rate of circumference each year that
the thickness of pen knife blade will span. We
might even view that project with equinamity
if it was to be located in Dane, Columbia, Dodge,
or any of the southern and central counties of the
state Instead of that, Villas county is to play
the don Quixote" role in demonstrating the
advantages of reforestation to the sufferers from
lumber famine due to confront all inhabitants
of the future unless the forestry plan of salvation
is adopted. Having firm belief in the agricultu-
raj future of even the poorest parts of this
ty based on the knowledge of what has been ac-
complished on lighter soils in Wisconsin, we in
tend to oppose all attempts to list large area Of
Villas county as "non-agricutural'', merely be-
cause it is freely watered by lakes which con-
sidered generally as valuable assets by farm
ers and livestock men, the world over The for
estry advocates make the statement that they de-
sire to include as parts of the reserve any other
portions of the state unsuitable for farming If
they are correct in what constitutes non-agri-
cultural lands in Villas county, there is lots much
worse to be found elsewhere, but nevertheless,
no other definite area has ever been mentioned
and we imagine that pretty strong protest will
be heard from the residents and taxpayers of
those sections if ever so much as mentioned.