168 



SOUTHERN 



APPALACHIAN 



REGION. 



It contains within the forest-covered areas no hirge settlements or 

 large mining operations which would interfere with the nianagenient 

 of such a forest reserve, and yet there is a sufficient population for the 

 working- and protection of the forests. Large lumber companies are 

 rapidly invading the region, and the earl}- destruction of the more 

 valuable timber is imminent. Lands in this region suitable for such 

 a forest reserve are now general!}' held in large bodies of from 50,000 

 to 100,000 aci es, and the}^ can be purchased at prices ranging from $2 

 to ^5 per acre. It is probable that the average price would not exceed 

 $3 per acre. In explanation of the widespread and urgent demand for 

 the establishment in this southern Appalachian region of a national 

 park or forest reserve, it may be added that it contains the highest and 

 largest mountain masses, and perhaps the wildest and most picturesque 

 scenery, east of the Mississippi River; that it is a region of perfect 

 healthfulness, already largely used as a health resort both summer 

 and winter, and that it lies within a little more than a day's travel of 

 the larger portion of the population of this country. 



The rapid consumption of our timber supplies, the extensive destruc- 

 tion of our forests by fire, and the resulting increase in the irregularity 

 of the flow of water in important streams have served to develop 

 among the people of this country an interest in forest problems which 

 is one of the marked features of the close of the centuiy. In response 

 to this growing interest the Government has set aside in the Western 

 forest reserves an area of more than 70,000 square miles. There is 

 not a single forest reserve in the East. * 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 



James Wilson, Secretary. 



REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREST RESERVATIONS 

 AND THE PROTECTION OF GAME. 



[Fifty-sixth Congress, second session. Senate Calendar No. 2227. Report No. 2221.] 

 FOREST RESERVE IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN REGION. 



[February 12, 1901.— Report by Mr. Beveridge, from the Committee on Forest Reservations and the 

 Protection of Game, to accompany S. 5518.] 



A majorit}' of the Committee on Forest Reservations and the Pro- 

 tection of Game, having had under consideration the bill (S. 5518) to 

 provide for the establishment of a national forest reserve in the South- 

 ern Appalachian Mountain region, reports the bill with the recommen- 

 dation that it do pass and submits the following report: 



An investigation of the forests of this region, authorized by Con- 

 gress at its last session, has been conducted during the past year by 

 the Department of Agriculture, with the cooperation of the United 



