American Forest Congress 319 



ize the inclusion therein of lands more valuable for 

 the minerals therein, than for forest purposes." 



And further: "Nor shall anything herein prohibit 

 any person from entering upon such forest reservation 

 for all proper and lawful purposes, including that of 

 prospecting, locating, and developing the mineral re- 

 sources thereof: Provided, That such persons comply 

 with the rules and regulations covering such forest 

 reservations." 



And further still: "And any mineral lands in any 

 forest reservation which have been or which may be 

 shown to be such, and subject to entry under the exist- 

 ing mining laws of the United States and the rules and 

 regulations applying thereto, shall continue to be sub- 

 ject to such location and entry, notwithstanding any 

 provisions herein contained." 



While the act contains the above-quoted provisions, 

 it also outlines a plan for the preservation of the forests 

 within the reserves and gives to the Secretary of the 

 Interior power to elaborate the system and make it 

 effective, by authorizing him to "make such rules and 

 regulations and establish service as will insure the 

 objects of such reservations, namely, to regulate their 

 occupancy and use and to preserve the forests thereon 

 from destruction." 



Realizing the vital importance of the mining industry 

 to the national prosperity, and at the same time appre- 

 ciating the necessity of protecting the forests for the 

 benefit of the people, the law-makers devised a scheme 

 of forest protection that enables forest reserves to be 

 maintained and the mining industry to be carried on 

 simultaneously in the same territory, not only without 

 conflict or friction, but in such manner that scientific 

 forest methods may be applied in fullest measure, while 

 the best interests of the bona fide miner are subserved 

 and promoted. 



