Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-02-11

6SaiAu anu FTOteCtion OF property
Problems Forest Supervisor Faces
Headquarters Now in Cities.
Prepared by the United States Department,
OF Agricultural
Outdoor recreation ranks today Us
one of the major resources or utilities
Of the national forests. according to
the annual report of the forest serv-
ice. United States Department of Agri-
culture
1.-THE presence of large numbers OF
people Oh favored recreation areas. u
the forester says. creates problems OF
sanitation. of public health and of pro
lection of public property which can
not safely be ignored Counties
municipalities. and In some cases in
dividual citizens. are doing much by
generous donations and constructive
planning to relieve the situation. Sew.
eral municipal camps are examples OF
the high public service which camp.
ground improvements promote After
the fullest possible cooperation has
been secured however. there will re.
main many important recreation areas
where action by the government will
be necessary To preserve public health
and property
"Much of the recreatIOnal re-
sources" says the report. may be
made available for commercial devel.
opment under conditions safeguarding
the public against poor service. dis
elimination or extoriionate charges.
Rentals derived from occupancy under
permit Of national forest lands cOnstl.
tuie Il permanent and rapidly growing
source Of income. Even under pres,
ent conditions this activity is more
than self-supporting.
Wild Game Habitat.
THE use Of the national forests as
the habitat of wild game is Of consid-
cradle public importance. The pres.
ence Of game adds TO their attractive
ness not only to hunters but To occu-
pants generally. Game presents a
combination OF problems-bIologica
legal. and range. The most important
range problem is IN the immediate
vicinity Of the Yellowstone National
park where about l.650O0O acres are
devoted primarily 10 the protection Of
elk herds"
After pointing out that lack of win
ter range during unfayorable years has
played havoc with these herds. but
that an open winter and good spring
last year has largely replenishcd both
the Jackson Hole and the northern
herd. and that inroads on the latter
herd by poachers and tusk hunters
have been almost completely stopped
by the forest service. the report con
iinues'
But the stopping OF poachlng and
one good season do not solve the prob
lem. which Is esse-tlalIy one OF win
ter range Some provision was made
years ago by the federal government
for the Jackson Hole herd through
purchases OF hay and through add
tions tn the forest under authority OF
congress: but the northern herd Is
left with most unsatisfactory win.
ter refuge To meet this situation
the remaining public lands lying along
the Yellowstone river and between the
Absaroka and Gallaiin national for
ests should be added 10 these for
ests."
Refugees for Game.
The national forests. says the for
ester. contain many acres which might
advantageously be used for the per-
petuation OF wild life by setting them
aside ms game refugees. "'rhe deiica-
i!on OF such areas 10 the protection Of
game would be purely function Of
land management. the states control
over the game being unaffected"
Supplementary to these q
refugees which would serve as breed
places there should he decla s
Colonel Greeley. definitely formulated
plans for wild-life administration ="
The native beast. bird. and fish popu-
latlon OF the forests should he regard
ell and handled just rs are their tr'
Az forage grosths. "Under SKIN