Transcription:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WASHINGTON, D. C. March 9, 1897. Mr. John Muir, Martinez,
California. Dear Mr. Muir:- The editor of Harper's Weekly told me he would write and ask you to prepare an article for
the Weekly on the forest reservations. I hope you will see your way clear to do this. I suppose you have the necessary material
with you to prepare a popular article on the subject. It is very necessary that the people be educated in this matter as to
the importance of forest reservations. You are doubtless already aware that the President promulgated thirteen proclamations
setting aside over 21,000,000 acres of forest lands. This has created a great howl from the Northwest, and the last days of
Congress every effort was made to break them down, the Senate going so far as to vote to annul all the proclamations. Today
the forest reserves stand where they did after promulgation, but there is no doubt that the fight will be renewed as soon
as Congress meets or the new administrations gets to work. In the name of the poor settlers much pressure will be brought
to bear to throw these forests open to the great syndicates, who as you know have been cutting timber off government lands
for many years. In the amendment to the Sundry Civil bill annulling these reserves, the California Senators would not permit
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