The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-18
CLUBS FOREST
STAND SCORED
r. R Bailey Of Virginia States
Commissions Stand on
Forest Acquisition.

The Minneapolis Saturday Luncheon
Club recently passed a resolution
recommending that the Federal govern
ment take over the Grand Portage and
Kabetogama state forests in aid of the
Quetico-Superior Council
R. R. Bailey of Virginia, vice chair
man Of the state conservation COM
mission, took issue with the resolution
of the club and the implication in the
resolution that the conservation CON-
mission or the control of the two forests
would interfere in any manner with the
program OF the council. Mr. Bailey adj
dressed the Club as follows:
The commission has always favored
in principle al Of the things which the
Quetico-Superior council has advocated,
and does now favor its very commend
able oblectives. We do not understand
that the existence of the Grand Por-
tage and Kabetogama state forests
within the area can obstruct the coun-
CHS plans. On the contrary. the COM
mission is of the conviction that when
It asked the legislature TO create these
two forests as state forests to be de-
Veloped and managed as such. they re-
Elected the wishes Of every citizen of
the state who sees the entire picture
presented by state and federal forest
When the Superior National forest
was created some Is years ago, why
were the Kabetogama and Grand Por-
Sage areas omitted? Surely the con-
servation commission cannot be blamed
for that act. Why did the governors
committee on land utilization appointed
n 1882 to study the entire land use
program recommend that these forests
be retained under state management?
The conclusions of this committee
headed by Dr.. L D. Cofman. president
Of the state university, should be of
some value in guiding your club.
"A committee representing the ma
sional forest service, division OF forestyl
Of the University Of Minnesota, and the
Of conservation, which met
ast summer 10 recommend purchase
units for expansion of national forests
under appropriations made available
under NRA, recommended that the
Grand Portage and Kabetogarna forests
De kept intact. A report Of the Mn.
aesota state planning board to the
rational resources board recently mada
public likewise recommends the alloca-
ion OF these forests under state man.
agement.
The conservation commission Is
iealing directly with federal agencies
Who are now extensively engaged in not
,nly acquiring new purchase areas for
aational forests. but N the retirement
If marginal and sub-marginal lands for
agricultural and other land use pro-
y-ams- The commission must Keep be-
ore it the entire picture Of the effects
u this land use program The COM
believes that the legislature
md the people at large are expecting
1 TO make an accounting Of It's steward
hip OF forests, lakes. wild life and
,ther resources. and that it owes its
inst duty to the state. Unless some de-
yree OF vigilance is practiced at this
ame, the state of Minnesota may well
ind itself N position Of having con-
,ented itself with the assignment of al
'orest areas surrounding our most valu-
able and attractive lakes and water
areas for federal management. while
he state itself VIII be confronted with
| problem OF attempting to manage itsl
nate forests in areas where there are
10 waters and where even trees have
Dot been known to grow under natural
,onditions-n