From Publishers Weekly
In 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed a law granting public land for the building of a railroad running from Lake Superior to the Pacific Ocean?the largest in American history. This Northern Pacific railroad land grant (reproduced in the appendix here) included a section stating "That Congress may at any time alter or amend this joint resolution, having due regard to the rights of said company, and any other parties." That's the rub, contend the authors, who say that this gives the public control over these lands?should we choose to use it. Jensen's (Listening to the Land) and Draffan's argument is one-sided but convincing, showing how the search for profit by such land grant companies as Plum Creek, Weyerhauser, Potlatch and Boise Cascade (companies that, under the terms of the Gorton Rider, would have access to public lands without public oversight) has hurried the disappearance of our forests. A "checkerboard" pattern of mixed ownership was designed to alternate railroad lands with public lands, but in fact it has only served to make management of national forests and ecosystems more difficult. This isn't beach reading, and occasionally the authors are a bit heavy-handed driving home their point. But with its historic background, company profiles, analysis of the effects of overcutting and of the practice of exporting wood, as well as suggestions for citizen action, this book is a worthy contribution to the continuing debate over use of public lands.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Railroads And Clearcuts is the fascinating story of the Congressional 1864 Northern Pacific Railroad Land Grant, the biggest land grant in U. S. history. Beginning with an over and general historical background, Railroads And Clearcuts goes on to cover the land-grant timber corporations with a photographic essay. It takes up the subjects of overcutting, log exports, options to intervene, and a summary of conclusions based on the data and history of the grant. An appendices features the 1864 Land Grant (13 Stat. 366); 1870 Land Grant (16 Stat. 378); President Coolidge's request for Congressional investigation; corporate interlocks; a chronology of events; a bibliography; and an index. Railroads And Clearcuts is exceptionally well researched, written, and presented -- a highly recommended recommendation for railroad bookshelves, environmental and American history reading lists. -- Midwest Book Review
