The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-06-10


in Republican Garrett county. This is
the Land Utilization Division Of the
Resettlement Administration which in
1898 began the acquisition Of 33,SG9
acres Of submarginal land; that is,
land below the level Of profitable ayr
future.
Seventy-eight families living on the
land agreed to sell it to the Govern
ment for $252,925 with which they
resettled themselves elsewhere on
farms more suited to an agricultural
destiny. A little over 100000 was al
lotted by the Resettlement Admistra-
ton for the Garrett county project.
During the summer this land is to
be given to the forestry department
and devoted hereafter to the multiple
uses of Maryland's State forests
timber growing, watershed protection
game conservation and recreation.
Having this aim in view, the Rese55tle-
ment Administration has developed
the land in accordance with che for
estry program, using labor from the
relief rolls Of the county.
Before the land is turned ever t.
Maryland, 100000 trees will have been
planted on it, miles Of trails bull, and
a rccreational area completed in TIC
mountains near Bittinger. This devel-
opment is now under construction, {
3O-acre artificial lake being made
along with twelve cabins for eight
persons each, recreation and dining
hall, picnic grounds, and all the other
winter and summer recreational ia
cilities such as the New Germany and
Harrington Manor areas will possess.
Problem of Control
How the forestry service will ad-
minister these new recreation areas
has not yet been decided upon, &C.
cording to State Forester F. W. Bes-
ley. It is likely that recreational
subdivision will be added to the de-
partment, and that organized groups
will be placed in charge of some de-
velopments.
For example, the Bittinger area, it
is expected, will be administered
this summer by the All Club, State
wide organization of farm youth I'M
der the extension service of the Uni
versity of Maryland. Similarly, a Boy
Scout troop, labor union, a depart
ment store organization, or some So
cial agency may be given control of
a camp; just as the Maryland League
for Crippled Children has charge of
a camping site in the Catoctin recre-
ational center of Frederick county
which they will occupy this month.
Two Plans
At Harrington Manor and New Ger
many, the forestry department may
either experiment with providing d.
rectly the horses, boats and other ia
cilities, or lease concessions under var
ious regulations. The land or cabins
will not be leased to citizens on long
term arrangement, such as is per-
mitted in many States; Mr.. Besley be-
lieving that public property should be
kept under public control.
MANY administrative headaches are
to be expected" is the viewpoint of
the State Forester. "But our policy is
to proceed conservatively. If thousands
of people avail themselves of the rec
reational possibilities in the State for
ests of the Alleghenies, then we will
develop more areas for summer and
winter use, and more administrative
problems will naturally arise. It all
depends upon the demand of the peo-
pie. For example, at Harrington Manor
we will start with perhaps a dozen
saddle horses. If more are needed, then