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William Elliott (1838-1907) was a South Carolina attorney and politician who served in the U.S. Congress. In this speech before Congress, printed by the Southern Appalachian Forest Reserve, Elliott speaks on behalf of the creation of a National Appalachian Forest Reserve. By May 1902, when this speech was made, the Congressional tide had turned from the creation of a national park to the creation of a national forest. Initiated by the Appalachian National Park Association, in 1903, the association changed its name to the Appalachian National Forest Reserve Association and disbanded in 1905.

This 4-page document is a 1901 "Report of Investigations upon the Forests of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Region." In 1900, the Appalachian National Park Association submitted a Memorial to Congress and, on May 25, 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park. Although the organization had major successes early on, their efforts met with resistance and the organization disbanded in 1905.

Early on, the Appalachian National Park Association met with legislative success. In 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park in the eastern U.S. and, in December 1901, Congress introduced a bill to purchase land. While the Appalachian National Park Association initially argued for a national park, it used the terms "national park" and "forest reserve" somewhat interchangeably. As the bill made its way through Congress, funds were earmarked for a "forest reserve" rather than a "national park." Unfortunately, when a separate bill was re-introduced in 1902, Congress was not able to reconcile the two bills and they failed. ; The Proposed Appalachian Forest Reserve.* In tny report on the Forests and Forest conditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region, which has been printed along with your message to Congress on this subject, of December 19, 1901, I discussed briefly the rapid rate at which the forests on these mountain slopes were being removed, and the extent to which the resulting floods were destroying agricultural lands and other property along the streams rising in that region. In that report I stated that the damages resulting from these floods during the year (1901) " approximated $10,000,000, a sum sufficient to purchase the entire area recommended for the proposed reserve." Subsequent examinations have shown that during the few months following the date of that report the flood damages on these streams, extending across eight different States, aggregated $8,000,000, making a total of $18,000,000, during the twelve months ending in April, 1902. These examinations also show, as additional results of the deforestation of these mountain slopes, (1) that the water powers along these streams, which have an aggregate annual value of $20,000,000 as a basis for manufacturing enterprises, are being gradually but certainly destroyed through the increasing irregularity in the flow of the streams; (2) that the soils which are being washed down from these mountain slopes are rendering annually less navigable the Ohio, the Tennessee, the Mississippi, and other rivers of these Southeastern States ; and, (3) that the rate of land erosion on these mountain slopes from which the forest cover has been removed is now as great in a single year as it was during ten centuries while these slopes were covered with primeval forests. A bill providing for the establishment of the forest reserve recommended in my report is now pending before Congress. With an increased realization of the importance of this measure I reproduce here the concluding paragraph of that report. "The preservation of the forests, of the streams, and of the agricultural interests here described can be successfully accomplished only by the purchase and creation of a national forest reserve. The States of the southern Appalachian region own little or no land, and their revenues are inadequate to carry out this plan. Federal action is obviously necessary, is fully justified by reasons of public necessity, and may be expected to have most fortunate results." * Extract from the annual report of Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, submitted to the President, November 29, 1902.

These memoranda were written in support of Congressional legislation. In 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park in the eastern U.S. and, in December 1901, Congress introduced a bill to purchase land. While the Appalachian National Park Association initially argued for a national park, it used the terms "national park" and "forest reserve" somewhat interchangeably. As the bill made its way through Congress, funds were earmarked for a "forest reserve" rather than a "national park." Unfortunately, when a separate bill was re-introduced in 1902, Congress was not able to reconcile the two bills and they failed.

In promoting a national park in the southern Appalachians, Chase Ambler wrote dozens of editorials, including this one titled "Status of the Appalachian Forest Reserve Movement." These editorials were submitted to newspapers and magazines throughout the east coast. After the editorials were published, the Appalachian National Park Association often reprinted and circulated them as part of their promotional campaign. Chase P. Ambler (1865-1932) was a founding member and long-time secretary of the association. ; To the Editor : Will the Editor use all or as much of this matter as he can ? A marked copy of the paper containing same would be appreciated. Respectfully, C. P. AMBLER, Secretary. Status of Appalachian Forest Reserve Movement September, 1901. From the September Century. Prior to the civil war comparatively little or nothing was known of the immense tract of country which makes up the Southern Appalachian mountains. Few railroads exis.ed in the region, highways were poor, and travel was difficult. The writings of such men as Prof. Elisha Mitchell (who lost his life in surveying the highest peak east of the Rockies') and Prof, -nsa Gray have done much to call attention to this, one of the most beautiful mountain regions of our whole country, and during the last 20 years railways have multiplied, and visitors, hunters, fishermen, excursionists and home- seekers have flocked thither until today the whole world knows and recognizes the value, healthfulness and beauty of the region. For many years there has been talk of the necessity of the government acquiring control of a portion of this southern Appalachian country. Dr. Henry O. Marcy of Boston, in a paper on climatology read before the Academy of Medicine October 25, 1885. was one of the first to write in favor of the movement. It was not, however, until November 22, 1899, that any systematic effort was made to bring the attention of t^je government to the matter. During the summer or 1899 private citizens of Asheville, North Carolina, started a movement which resulted in a well- formed and chartered organization named tte Appalachian National Park Association, with the aim of securing a national park and forest reserve in the southern Appalachian mountains. The territory which it is proposed thus to purchase and include in the park lies in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia and northern South Carolina. The objects of the association were set fiorth in a memorial which was presented to congress in January, 1900. The reasons given for praying the government to investigate the matter were briefly as follows: The southern Appalachian mountains contain the largest tracts of hardwood forests to be found in the United States; the scarcity of lumber is now compelling the lumbermen to enter these mountains, which, on account of their inaccessibility, heretofore have been unmolested. Present methods of lumbering will denude the mountains and leave them barren wastes. All the rivers of the southeastern United States have their origin in these mountains; denude the mountains and the streams oecome raging torrents in the rainy season and dry up in summer. The Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge make up one of the most popular health resorts in tne country; the climate is fine the year round; the scenery compares favorably with any to be found in the world, embracing the highest mountains east of the Rockies.Mount Mitchell being 6710 feet high, while there are over 60 peaks in this region with an altitude exceeding 6000 fe°t. Being within 21 hours of New York, ^mcago, or New Orleans this region is easily accessible to the masses of the people. There is no national park or forest re serve east of the Rockies. Large appropriations are made yearly to deepen and improve the river harbors; if this is necessary, how much more important it is to preserve their source and supply! Few residents now live on these tracts, and the holdings, being in large areas, controlled by corporations, could be secured at a minimum cost, averaging from $2 to $5 per acre. If the forests are not preserved, a few years will see them destroyed, and future generations will condemn our devastating policy of today, as history today condemns the similar neglect of Switzerland and Spain. Game and fish will soon become extinct, as in the north and west; no better trout streams exist than are found here. The flora and timber of the region are various, as here the different species of the north and south meet; our government foresters claim that under scientific forestry such a reserve would be self-sustaining. Upon the solicitation of the Appalachian National Park association, the states interested have passed legislation requesting the government to establish such a park, and have granted the right to acquire title to such lands by the power of eminent domain, if necessary. The only opposition to this movement has been on the part of a few selfish lumber operators. The majority of the lumber corporations, however, are in favor of the establishment of such a park and are rendering the association every assistance in their power. The organization whose object it is to see the establishment of this preserve secured the passage of a bill by congress in January, 1900, appropriating $5000 for a preliminary investigation. The investigation was left in the hands of the secretary of agriculture. This department, with the assistance of the geological survey, mapped the whole region from Virginia to South Carolina and Georgia during the summer of 1900, made investigations of the forests (with different varieties of hardwood timber) and examined streams, burned districts, areas under cultivation, etc. On January 16, 1901, the president of the United States, in a special message to congress, sent the report of the secretary of agriculture to that body and recommended it to favorable consideration. Following this, Senator Pritchard introduced a bill in the senate, praying for an appropriation of five million dollars. This bill was referred to the committee on agriculture and forest reservations, and was favorably reported back by this committee to the senate. More important matters crowded the question out, and a vote was not taken at the last session of congress. The movement, however, has warm friends in both houses, and the indications are that it will receive favorable consideration when the opportune time arrives. The widespread interest which has been manifested in it, and the fact that there is no reasonable opposition to it, give assurance that before long a large forest reserve in the southern Appalachian mountains will be established. C. P. AMBLER. Asheville, N. C.

Early on, the Appalachian National Park Association met with legislative success. In 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park in the eastern U.S. and, in December 1901, Congress introduced a bill to purchase land. While the Appalachian National Park Association initially argued for a national park, it used the terms "national park" and "forest reserve" somewhat interchangeably. As the bill made its way through Congress, funds were earmarked for a "forest reserve" rather than a "national park." Unfortunately, when a separate bill was re-introduced in 1902, Congress was not able to reconcile the two bills and they failed.

Early on, the Appalachian National Park Association met with legislative success. In 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park in the eastern U.S. and, in December 1901, Congress introduced a bill to purchase land. While the Appalachian National Park Association initially argued for a national park, it used the terms "national park" and "forest reserve" somewhat interchangeably. As the bill made its way through Congress, funds were earmarked for a "forest reserve" rather than a "national park." Unfortunately, when a separate bill was re-introduced in 1902, Congress was not able to reconcile the two bills and they failed.

Early on, the Appalachian National Park Association met with legislative success. In 1900, a bill passed authorizing funds to investigate the possibility of a national park in the eastern U.S. and, in December 1901, Congress introduced a bill to purchase land. While the Appalachian National Park Association initially argued for a national park, it used the terms "national park" and "forest reserve" somewhat interchangeably. As the bill made its way through Congress, funds were earmarked for a "forest reserve" rather than a "national park." Unfortunately, when a separate bill was re-introduced in 1902, Congress was not able to reconcile the two bills and they failed.

In promoting a national park in the southern Appalachians, Chase Ambler wrote dozens of editorials and submitted them to newspapers and magazines throughout the east coast. After the editorials were published, the Appalachian National Park Association often reprinted and circulated them as part of their promotional campaign. Chase P. Ambler (1865-1932) was a founding member and long-time secretary of the association. ; Bu Will the Editor please use, as much of this as he can. % A copy of the paper giving suc|| notice will be appreciated. |C. P. Ambler, Secretary. ' ■ Appalachian Park A&sociation. Asheville, N. C. NATIONAL RESERVE THE NEW YORK "SUN" COMMENDS THE PLAN. The New York Sun has the following editorial concerning an Appalachian forest reserve; "A national forest reserve in the Ap palachian belt can be established only by the purchase of land, for there it, no public domain in that region. The bill now before congress directs the secretary of agriculture to purchase not more than 2,000,000 acres of forest in the southern Appalachians and appropriates $5,000,000 for that purpose. The lands must be situated within the states of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama arid Tennessee. The purpose of establishing the proposed reserve is to introduce scientific forestry methods, conserve the forests and at the same time permit lumbering in this large area of hard woods. "No one now doubts that it was wise policy to set apart the forest reserves which have been establish ea since 1896 in eleven of our western slates and territories. The idea was at first strongly opposed on the ground that the withdrawal of so much public- land from purchase would retard the development of the states concerned and delay the discovery of new sources of mineral wealth. These misgivings, however, were not justified by our policy with regard to the reserves. The geological survey has been engaged, since the summer of 1897, in studying the timber, mineral and agricultural resources of these regions. All of them may be developed as fast as capital and labor seek employment there. In some of the reserves, as in the Black Hills, for example, large industries have long been established. But these large areas can no longer be stripped of all their timber without a thought of tree replanting. The propagation of timber must hereafter go hand in hand with its utilization; and destruction by forest fires, that have swept large areas, will at. least be diminished by proper regulations. "But In our forest reserves, the hard woods that have so prominent a place in our lumber industry and agricultural implement, furniture and cabinet manufactures are scarcely represented. The cedar, tamarack, canon live oak and tanbark oak, are the only hard woods of commercial importance found on the reserves. Our walnut, maple, ash, locust, hickory, cherry and beech timber, are as yet derived almost wholly from the central states, mainly east of the Mississippi. Timber planting has not kept pace with timber cutting and the supply is diminishing. Furniture makers already complain of the scarcity of black walnut. "The only other source of these hard woods is the Appalachian belt from the southern part of New York to Alabama. They grow in largest numbers on the slopes of the southern half of these mountain ranges. On the neighboring lowlands spread away the forests of long leaf, shortleaf and loblolly pines, which make the great lumber industry of our South Atlantic states. The hard woods above them have as yet scarcely been touched, but with thi diminishing supply of hard woods on the central plain from the Mississippi eastward, lumbermen are beginning to look to the mountains. "The question is whether this large source of supply shall also be depleted or whether by the methods of scientific forestry, the timber shall be renewed so that later generations as wttl as ourselves may have the benefit of it. These forests can be protected only by government regulation; and if che states do not take steps to conserve these large sources of wealth the question whether the national government should not acquire the right to do so, at a time when it is asserted it may be cheaply acquired, is certainly worthy of serious consideration.".

While the Appalachian National Park Association was successful in gaining support from southern states to purchase land for a park or forest reserve, in order to do so, each state had to cede its authority to the federal government to acquire title to such lands. In January 1901, North Carolina passed a bill giving Congress that authority. By April 1901, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia followed suit.

While the Appalachian National Park Association was successful in gaining support from southern states to purchase land for a park or forest reserve, in order to do so, each state had to cede its authority to the federal government to acquire title to such lands. In January 1901, North Carolina passed a bill giving Congress that authority. By April 1901, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia followed suit.

The Appalachian National Park Association drafted a number of resolutions favoring the establishment of a national forest reserve and/or a national park in the southern Appalachians and presented these to southern legislators. In 1901, North Carolina passed a resolution ceding the right to purchase land and acquire title by the federal government; by mid-1901, five other Southern states followed suit.

While the Appalachian National Park Association was successful in gaining support from the southern states to purchase land for a park or forest reserve, in order to do so, each state had to cede its authority to the federal government to acquire title to such lands. In January 1901, North Carolina passed a bill giving Congress that authority; before the end of the month, South Carolina passed a similar bill. By April 1901, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia followed suit.

The Southern Appalachian Region is the largest American ""problem area""--An area whose participation in the economic growth of the nation has not been sufficient to relieve the chronic poverty of its people. The existence of the problem was recognized a generation ago, but in the past decade the resistance of such areas to economic advance has acquired a more urgent significance in American thought. In 1958, a group of scholars undertook to make a new survey of the Southern Appalachian Region. Aided by grants from the Ford Foundation ultimately amounting to 250,000, they set out to analyze t