FOREST RESERVES IN IDAHO. 13 



fortunate that such is the case, as vast amounts of timber are abso- 

 lutely essential to the development of mines. The sections where the 

 mines are situated are as a rule valuable only for mining. The mines 

 in northern Idaho are all in humid regions and the creation of forest 

 reserves does not conduce to the usefulness of the water supply to any 

 extent whatever, and the claim made on behalf of forest reservations 

 as affording protection from fire, is, from actual observation and 

 experience of those who are in a position to know, largely a theory. 

 The countries in which forest fires are unknown or are under control 

 are those which are inhabited. No person having a real interest in 

 the country would ever promote or permit a fire to destroy the forests. 



You asked me for a statement from some real mining operators and 

 miners who are familiar with the question as to whether or not the 

 existence of forest reserves detracted from the availability and use- 

 fulness of the countr}^ for mining purposes and acted as a deterrent to 

 those who would invest in mines within forest reservations. I hand 

 vou herewith the affidavits of some of the extensive mining operators 

 of the Pacific States. First is that of E. J. Roberts, who is general 

 manager of the Federal Mining Company and other mines, which 

 produce more than one-fourth of the lead of the United States. He 

 is a practical mine manager of experience and exceptional intelligence. 

 He says that he would not invest in mines within a forest reservation, 

 and it is upon the judgment of such men as Mr. Roberts that invest- 

 ments are considered and determined. 



I also hand you the affidavit of E. M. Gilpin, who is a prospector 

 of many years' experience, and who gives you cogent reasons why 

 men will not prospect for mines within forest reserves with the same 

 freedom as in case the forest reserve did not exist. 



I also hand you an affidavit to the same purpose from W. J. 

 McConnell, who is largel}^ interested in mining in Idaho, and Avho 

 gives in a concise manner his objections to the existence of forest 

 reserves covering mining lands. 



I also hand 3^ou the affidavit of Thomas F. Hanley, one of the 

 oldest prospectors on the Pacific coast, who gives you his views on 

 this matter. 



Mr. President, the theory that the existence of forest reserves does 

 not interfere Avith mining is not suported by experience, and, as I 

 stated to you in my personal interview, men will not buy mines Avithin 

 a forest reserA^e at the same price, nor Avill they expend money upon 

 them as freely as upon mines disassociated from the rules and restric- 

 tions of forest reserA^es. The affidavits state the matter A^ery plainly, 

 and no theory that can be presented as to hoAv these men should look 

 at the matter is a sufficient answer to the facts as to how they do 

 consider it. 



It is of much more importance that Idaho's mines be deA^eloped 

 than that the forest-reserA^e lines should be projected upon the people 

 of the State in such manner as to deter or in any Avay discourage 

 mining in the State. 



Forest reserA^es in north Idaho haA^e done'very much to preA^ent 

 settlement in that portion of the State, and the threat embodied in 

 the Avithdrawals and proposed Avithdrawals for reservations in south 

 Idaho has detracted immensely from the interest the emigrating 

 population naturally takes in a State wherein are to be found public 

 lands. 



