| OCR Text |
Show 467. would be able to bring public support for their recommendations later, in the popular press. Certainly his position on grazing was significant, and he was most adamant on the point: no grazing should be allowed in Reserves. One must remember that this was the primary commercial use of forests. The Commission itself was divided in its attitude toward use. Part of the group wanted to survey the forests' economic values. This faction was, of course, led by Pinchot. But Muir, Sargent, Alexander Agassiz, and Abbot felt that the Commission should attempt a rapid survey which would lead to early withdrawal of as much forest as possible while Cleveland still remained in office. This was only a symptom of the deeper split in aims between the champions of economic forests and the champions of botanical forests. Yet Muir was delighted to be travelling with even a divided Commission. It was always a pleasure for him to be in the company of scientists. Sargent, Brewer, Abbot, and Hague were "good forest fellows." But by the end of the month he admitted that Sargent was "the only one of the Commission that knew and loved trees as I loved them." Although Muir did not mention Pinchot in his letters, Pinchot's own recollections in Breaking New Ground show that he was pleased with Muir's company early and late. He found Muir a "most fascinating talker" and "took to him at once." Pinchot commented that Muir and Merriam "had seen what they looked at; and they were full of facts I needed in my business." On the other hand he took an immediate dislike to Sargent, |
