1904 Philipsburgers: No National Forest for us
Posted By admin on July 21, 2009
From the Missoulian in September 1904:
STRONG PROTEST TO FOREST RESERVE
Philipsburg Mass Meeting Declares That it Would Retard Industries and is Unnecessary
“Residents of Philipsburg in the city yesterday stated that the mass meeting in the “burg” Thursday to protest against the establishment of the forest reserve in Granite county was largely attended and a strong protest will soon be placed in the hands of Congressman Dixon to be forwarded to Washington. This protest will contain the signatures of hundreds of the influential citizens of Granite county.
“Last night, to head off any steps which the department might have had in contemplation, Mr. Dixon wired the secretary of the interior and nothing will be done in the matter of creating the proposed reserve until the matter has been further investigated and the sentiment of the residents who are most effected (sic) by the reserve is secured.
“The contention is made that fully 90 per cent of the timbered area of Granite county will be embraced in the proposed reserve and that the timber which will be so included is of little commercial value except for cordwood, fencing and mining purposes; that the creation of the reserve would greatly hinder and retard the growth of Granite county in its mining, farming and stock growing industries; that there are no sources of any large streams that are necessary to be protected within the confines of the county and that the lands would be of infinitely more value to the people standing as they are than they would be if created into a forest reserve.”
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