THE FOREST RESERVES 129 



Wolcott Gibbs, president of the National Academy of Sciences, calling 

 for an official expression from the Academy upon various questions 

 relating to forestry and the forest reserves. ^^ 



President Gibbs, in response to this letter of inquiry, appointed a 

 commission composed of Professor C. S. Sargent, Alexander Agassiz, 

 Henry L. Abbot — an eminent engineer and hydrographer — Professor 

 William H. Brewer of Yale University, Arnold Hague of the United 

 States Geological Survey, and Gifford Pinchot. While these men were 

 willing to serve the government without compensation, Gibbs sug- 

 gested that $25,000 should be appropriated to cover the expenses of 

 their investigation, and in the Sundry Civil Bill of 1896, $25,000 was 

 allowed for that purpose.^" 



In July, 1896, the commission began its work, visiting most of the 

 forest reserves, and devoting three months of travel and study to the 

 investigation. 



In February, 1897, Professor Sargent, chairman of the commission, 

 addressed a letter to President Gibbs of the Academy of Sciences, 

 recommending the establishment of thirteen new reserves, to embrace 

 an area of over 21,000,000 acres. "^ The issue of this letter before the 

 report of the commission was entirely completed — it was not completed 

 until May 1, after the close of Cleveland's administration — was 

 opposed by Gifford Pinchot, who believed the recommendation of new 

 reserves should be accompanied by a statement of the objects sought, 

 and by definite plans for the administration of the new lands. Pinchot 

 saw the danger involved in thus "locking up" millions of acres of land, 

 with no provision for its use or protection. Upon receipt of Professor 

 Sargent's letter, however, President Cleveland proclaimed all of the 

 desired reserves on February 22, 1897 — the one hundred and sixty- 

 fifth anniversary of Washington's birthday. Immediately a storm 

 broke loose in the Senate. 



PREVIOUS HOSTILITY TOWARD THE RESERVES 

 The efforts above mentioned, seeking better protection for the 

 forest reserves, were not the only sort of activity in Congress. It is 



21 S. Doc. 21 ; 55 Cong. 1 sess. 



22 Stat. 29, 432. 



23 8. Doc. 105; 55 Cong. 1 sess.: Science, 5, 489, 893. Fernow thinks that this 

 "junket" was unnecessary and unprofitable. (Fernow, "History of Forestry," 417.) 



