FOREST RESERVES IN IDAHO. 37 



part lying south of the standard parallel and extendmg eastward into 

 the Yellowstone National Park. 



The reason for my objection to this is that the growing toAvns along 

 the railroads should not be included within a reservation. That the 

 reservation south of the standard parallel and extending to the 

 National Park amounts simply to an enlargement of the Yellowstone 

 Park in Idaho without carrying with it the privileges of the park, 

 and practically shuts off entry from Idaho into the National Park 

 over its oAvn border. Much of the lands included within this pro- 

 posed reserve are not timber lands at all, and never will be. An 

 examination that Avould result in reporting them as fit for timber 

 reserves must have been made either at a great distance or very super- 

 ficially. They are largel}^ grazing lands. 



SAWTOOTH RESERVE ADDITION. 



My objections to the Sawtooth addition are based upon the fact 

 that it includes the town of Banner, which is a prosperous and grow- 

 ing community, and that its growth would be stopped by the creation 

 of a forest reserve over it. That it also includes the town of Atlanta, 

 which is one of the oldest towns in the State, and in which millions of 

 dollars are invested in mining and kindred enterprises ; which after a 

 long period of stagnation incident to the financial reverses of a few 

 years ago has just started on a new growth with renewed energ}^ 

 That it also includes Rockybar. notwithstanding that a narrow strip 

 has been omitted along the road from Mountainhome into that town. 

 This is one of the oldest towns and sections in the State, and the set- 

 tlements are spreading every year in every direction from this center. 

 It also includes the new settlements of Edna and Sawtooth, and 

 crowds close down to Pioneerville, one of the oldest mining towns in 

 the Boise Basin. As I suggested in a personal interview with you in 

 regard to this matter, a timber reserve might be safely created run- 

 ning along the watershed to the northeast of Banner. The towns I 

 have mentioned have schools, churches, homes, and permanent settle- 

 ments which would be rendered comparatively useless by the creation 

 of such reserve. This reserve should be confined to the mountains 

 above the settlements and towns. It also includes Twin Springs. 

 which is at the head of the Boise Yalley and near Boise Basin. 



PAYETTE ADDITION. 



With reference to the Payette addition, my objections are based 

 upon the fact that it includes a vast quantity of land upon which 

 there is no timber. It also includes the town of Warren, a settlement 

 since 18G2, round and about which are some of the best mines in the 

 State of Idaho. This reserve has evidently been selected without 

 an}^ personal knowledge on the part of the selector of the conditions 

 upon the ground in this section. It covers a considerable portion of 

 the State wagon road constructed by the State to enable settlers to get 

 into this very countr}-. This reserve cuts off the Thunder Mountain 

 mining country from the north by a barrier which amounts to a pro- 

 hibition against those who desire to operate these mines from that 

 direction, and they are easier of access from the north than from 

 anywhere else. The reservation covers a large amount of mining 



