Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/433



county, capable of supplying the markets of the world, besides establishing the town of Stirling on its holdings. It has proceeded along scientific lines in the care and management of its property, and by purchase from private ownership, and through other sources, has acquired a body of magnificent timber, aggregating more than 75,000 acres.

Of all those who profited by the efforts to gobble up immense tracts of the public domain, it may be said in justice to the Diamond Match Company that it was the only one of the quartet of plunderers that has since proven of any special benefit to the community. This corporation has gone ahead and done something tangible, and by its fixed purpose of industry has earned the gratitude of the community, while the others have been merely a detriment to the development of the country so far as any practical benefits are concerned. Their broad domains are lying idle today, and are rendering to humanity no more legitimate returns than are embodied in the growth of a cancer.

I found conditions at the Redding Land Office similar to those existing at Susanville, with the exception that there was no suspension of public entries. In consequence timber filings and forest reserve lieu selections were pouring in by the hundreds, and an extra force was required to handle the increased business.

In Township 28 North, Range 3 East, Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian, the Curtis, Collins & Holbrook Company made a forest reserve lieu selection embracing nearly 13,000 acres, and when it is considered that an entire township of thirty-six square miles contains but 23,040 acres, it can be readily perceived that some of the big thieves of ancient history, were they in any position to express an opinion upon the subject, would feel amazed at their own moderation.

Not being particularly concerned in the raids that were being made upon Government lands other than to endeavor to protect the mining interests there Page 427