330 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



respective States for disposition as they may severally see fit, or that it be kept in 

 the nation's control and disposed of under a comprehensive policy looking to its 

 greatest and wisest use and conservation in the interest of all the people ? 



PURPOSE OF CONGRESS IN LAW OF 1897 



National forests are created for the purposes, as declared by law, to improve 

 and protect the forest, to secure favorable conditions of water flow, and to furnish 

 a continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of the citizens of the 

 United States. It is expressly declared not to be the purpose or intent of Con- 

 gress to include lands more valuable for mining or agricultural purposes than for 

 forest purposes within such reserves. It is provided that nothing shall prohibit 

 the egress and ingress of actual settlers residing within the boundaries of the 

 national forests. Any person may enter for all lawful purposes, including that 

 of prospecting, locating and developing mining resources. The waters in the 

 forests may be used for domestic, mining, milling or irrigation purposes, the 

 water laws of the respective States governing their use and appropriation, and 

 the laws of the United States controlling the mining. The mature timber is being 

 sold in fast increasing quantities. Grazing is permitted under regulations so fair 

 that those directly concerned are its strongest supporters. Permits for develop- 

 ing water power sites are granted on easy terms and conditions. The one domi- 

 nant idea running through the law and its operation is the rightful use and pro- 

 tection of the public interest. In other words, the paramount purpose of Con- 

 gress was to provide for the appropriation, and preserve for future use, a great 

 national resource, a necessity of life, and in so doing also to conserve another 

 great resource and necessity, water, with its varied uses. 



On the other hand it is also true Congress did not desire or intend to retard 

 development, prevent settlement of agricultural lands, or handicap mining, stock 

 raising, or any other industry, in any locality in which a reservation might be 

 made. It would seem that from every standpoint the object sought to be at- 

 tained is so manifestly in the public interest, indeed is so vital to the public wel- 

 fare that it is somewhat difficult to understand why any should oppose it. 



CRITICISM NOT OF LAW BUT OF ADMINISTRATION 



Few openly attack the object of the law, but many insist that the State, not 

 the nation, should be the guardian or trustee of the people's interest. Criticism of 

 administration is the general line of attack, but it is not apparent that anyone has, 

 as yet, made charges of graft, of neglect, or failure to appreciate responsibility. 

 Attacks are almost wholly upon alleged excess of zeal, lack of knowledge of con- 

 ditions, and impracticalness of officials in charge. 



It is significant that no charge of dishonesty or graft has been made against 

 this department and, although perhaps unconsciously, those thus attacking the 

 officials are in reality paying them a high compliment. The men in charge may 

 be "ignorant," "incapable" or "incompetent;" their attempts may be "inane," 

 "academic," "unjust," but there is yet to be made the charge of dishonestv. This 



