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Show OPINIONS DIFFER OH WATERSHEDS MATTER Lively Discussion Takes Plaee Before Committee on Agriculture. WASHINGTON, Pob. 7. Tho wide differenco of opinion amonp iho mem-bcrsJof mem-bcrsJof tho house, committee on agriculture agri-culture on tho bill which seeks to provide pro-vide for tlio protection of tho watersheds water-sheds of. navigable slrenms is evidenced in the report which accompanies the bill. The opinions of tho majority as expressed by representatives Wcoks (Mass.) and Lever (S. C.) nro practieal-lv practieal-lv thoso of. the administration, The general scope at tho bill permits tho acquirement of lands in any part of tho United States when considered advis-ablo advis-ablo b3- the national forest reservation commission, which the bill creates. It provides that tho geological survey must first determine that the land to be acquired will promote or protect tho navigability of streams. Tho majorit- report declares the flood damage has increased from $4n,000,000 in 10U0 to $J J8.000.000 in 3907, and Hint the greatest increases are ou tho streams on whose watersheds tho forests for-ests havo bocu heavily cut. 'J'h minorit)- report, which is signed by Chairman Charles F. Scott and four other members, contends that there is no vital connection between tho forests and iho maintenance of navigability in nnvigablo stroams. Those members argue in favor of instruction in the proper tillage of tho soil for tho farmer and assistance in protecting the forests from tiro as moro desirable than tho purchase pur-chase of lauds which would be mado unproductive un-productive and would bo taken from the local tax rolls, representative- ITawloy. of Oregon, of tho minority, declares data sutliciont to justify the passage of tho bill is not available. . |