Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1894 — Legislation for the Forest Reserves. [ARTICLE]

Legislation for the Forest Reserves.

Harper's Weekly. The action of tho Federal governnent in setting aside certain large tracts of the public forest lands in the West as “reserves” was outlined recently in these columns. Likewise the value of thesd vast forests was referred to in their relation to thp great irrigating systems of the West and their utility in supplying future timber demands. As therein renarkdd, the mere creating these reserves was but an incomplete meas are, unlbss some permanent system of Federal forestry was also soon adopted. At present the reserves are under the conTroToT the Land Office of the Department of the Interior, subject only to such limited care as its agents can bestow, which is slight. In the case of tho Yellowstone Park, since 188 H. when Congress neglected to provide a salary for the superintendent, it has been under the charge of a detail from the United States army. It was a fortunate neglect of Congress, as it gave an opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency of a disciplined body in enforcing regulations, and preventing Jepredations. Extensive illegal hunting was stopped, squatters evicted, the forests preserved from Jestructive fire, and tourists protected. Every official report corroborates the completeness with which the military carried out this new duty. Last summer the army was sought by the Secretary of the Interior for details to. protect from depredations some of the reserves. The acting Judge Advocate gave an

opinion that it was not lawful to employ troops upon such duty unless expressly directed by Congress. Under this decision it seems that the details that have hitherto guarded, except • during the winter months, the Yellowstone, Ypsemite, Sequoia, and General Grant parks will be withheld this year. A bill now before Congress in reference to the public forests authorizes tho Secretary of War to furnish details of troops upon requisition 61 the Secretary of the Interior to protect these reservations. But why not carry the subject a step further, as has been suggested by forest advocates, and reach the heart of the question? Substitute a bill placing the public forests that are withdrawn from public entry by settlers absolutely under the control of the army. Commence at the beginning and make forestry a department at West Point, with a portion of the conveniently situated Higlands as an experimental station. Provide for assigning a portion of the graduates of the Academy each year to command a specially enlisted forestry guard to carry out a system of practical and scientific forestry upon these reservations. It is ventured to predict, the more one will find in it a simple and logical solution of a pending vital question. It furnishes a new field of activity to the army; it insures fidelity to the national interests. It would give permanency and capability at once to the forestry svstem.