Familiar perspectives: War of words about wilderness is at least 50 years old
As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act being signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on Sept. 3, 1964, we thought it would be enlightening to look back at the Opinion page of the Daily Inter Lake from that area.
Just as now, wilderness was a hot topic, and so was the debate about multiple use, economic value and access to our national forests.
Reprinted for your pleasure are items from three successive Sundays in 1964. The debate got started with a brief item in the popular weekly outdoors column by local veterinarian H.W.C. “Doc” Newberry, who died in 1991.
Newberry’s comment about the Wilderness Bill met with opposition from Charles K. Green of Coram, who operated a sawmill and would later go on to write a series of books called “Montana Memories.” Before his death, he operated a realty office in Coram. Green disagreed with Newberry that wilderness was an economic boon for the Flathead and explained why.
That brought a long response from Tony Pepe (and wife Colleen) of Kalispell. Pepe, at the time, was manager of F.W. Woolworth’s in Kalispell but was also a noted outdoorsman. Pepe died just last September.
For a surprise ending, read to the last item, which tells of a controversial vote taken by Flathead Wildlife Inc. 12 years later in 1976, and demonstrates that wilderness and the environment are constantly evolving issues, at least as represented by Doc Newberry’s apparent shift in perspective.
Daily Inter Lake, from ‘Outdoors with Doc’ column by H.W.C. ‘Doc’ Newberry Aug. 23, 1964
Both the House and Senate have passed the Wilderness Bill, which is now on President Johnson’s desk. He is expected to sign the bill, preserving our present wilderness areas for all time to come. The bill is a compromise between some who would lock up permanently vast areas and those who would log, mine or graze the land down to the bare rocks.
The fact that a compromise was reached and a bill passed is very encouraging as it recognizes the importance of these areas, especially in years to come. Wilderness areas, national parks and clean air and water have been the economic salvation of the Flathead and will continue to be in the years ahead.
Daily Inter Lake Opinion Page, Aug. 30, 1964
TAKES ISSUE WITH STATEMENT
Dear Editor: In last Sunday’s paper, your correspondent Dr. Newberry, states wilderness areas have been the economic salvation of the Flathead. The good doctor went overboard with this statement and should be informed that over 60 per cent of our economy here in northwest Montana comes in the form of sawmills and related industries. I doubt if the income from these wild areas in any year would equal one week’s payroll from one of our sawmills.
It was stated in the Great Falls Tribune that all of the western federal lands are eventually to be put in this classification. This may be closer than we think and when it occurs the mills will go down. Then over half the residents will be forced to move unless some other industry is found to replace them.
At a hearing on this legislation two years ago it was brought out that less than one half of 1 per cent of the population of our country had ever seen a wilderness area. I doubt if even many of our local people have. On the other hand the areas here with logging roads are attracting thousands of our guests that stay much longer than those seeing Glacier Park. If roads and campgrounds were built into these areas thousands more would come and stay longer.
The whole concept of such areas is wrong, except for the packers and outfitters. We are a nation glued to automobiles and what 99 per cent of the people want, they will get, when they wake up to what is happening. The sad part of it is that none of our children or old people who can’t hike will ever see these beautiful areas, nor will the thousands of our guests, who cannot afford the time it takes.
Sincerely,
Charles K. Green
Coram
Daily Inter Lake Opinion Page, Sept. 6, 1964
PRESERVE WILDERNESS AREAS
Dear Editor: In the beginning, God took dust and made man. In creating man he gave him not only a body but a body with moving parts. Legs were given for walking, running, standing, climbing, etc. The Bible also states that God created animals. Of these animals I’m sure horses had a definite purpose for work, play, transportation and various uses, but I just can’t find where it says that God created automobiles, trucks or other forms of mechanized vehicles. Therefore: I believe that His thoughts were that man, woman, or child could go anywhere, if necessary, either by foot or by horseback.
In Mr. Green’s letter in the Sunday Inter Lake, he seems to believe we need roads and automobiles to spend a day or a week in the mountains. Yes, it’s true we need our logging industry as its payroll is a considerable factor to the economy of the Flathead; however, it is my feeling that we also need our wilderness areas, wild areas, and primitive areas, and it seems that both can be had without harm to either the logging industry or the outdoorsman facilities. Some of our best friends are connected with the logging business and they are some of the most dedicated sportsmen and conservationists you can find.
I moved to the Flathead in 1948, married a local girl and have remained here. I do consider it a privilege lo live here after the many other places I had lived. During these past 16 years, almost every weekend has been spent fishing or hunting, whichever is in season. Many trips were taken into areas years ago where no roads were available and could only be reached by foot or horseback. The fishing was outstanding. I have also attempted to fish these same lakes after roads have been built into them and campgrounds established. After tripping over the beer cans, garbage, and other forms of debris and finally getting to the lake shore, I find the clear water now reflects tin cans and I find the fishing very poor, but not to my surprise.
I have had several trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and not only is the fishing good but the scenery is breathtaking and the area is clean and fresh which I’m sure would be entirely different if roads were pushed into the area. Also on those pack trips we have met tourists from all parts of the country and all walks of life. Some walking, some on horseback, all enjoying being away from the rush of daily living, the roar of automobiles and all feeling the closeness of nature and God. We have met families, church groups, including children and elderly people, Boy Scouts, all having a wonderful time.
This wilderness has been there for many, many years and the older folks that Mr. Green mentions could have used these trails, and for the children of today, they will have their opportunity to use them if they so desire. My wife and I have taken our three on many, many wilderness trips and I think they are learning the true value of these areas. They find them a place of beauty and a place to enjoy and keep clean.
When you have to work a little to reach your destination you’re not so apt to throw your garbage around. If these areas are preserved our grandchildren will also have the opportunity to fish in these unpolluted streams and lakes free from litter and view mountain sides with huge standing trees untouched by the ax or saw. This is part of our responsibility to our future generations to keep a section of this rapidly changing world in its original state, not because of just the sport of hunting and fishing but for those who wish to use these areas it will give them the feeling, the awe, that many of our pioneers must have surely had when they first explored this country of ours in its virgin state.
In closing my answer to Mr. Green, it has just occurred to me that in all four directions of this great valley I see no shortage of trees for the logging industry yet, no lack of area where they can build all the roads they want and if the area is handled properly, surely we can have our logging industry for all time, and still preserve the economy of the logging yet preserve our wilderness areas for the thousands of people that will and do use it in the years to come.
There is very little area left in these United States that cannot be reached by automobile. Let these poor souls who are “glued to their automobiles” travel where they will and leave a few trails for the thousands of hardy Americans who are left and who do enjoy hiking or riding without having to crisscross roads from trail to trail to do so.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Pepe
Kalispell
Daily Inter Lake Sports Page
Jan. 9, 1976
Local wildlife group keeps state affiliation
The Flathead Wildlife, Inc., sportsmen’s group Thursday night ended a two-month controversy by voting to retain affiliation with the Montana Wildlife Federation.
Some members of the local wildlife group have been openly critical of the Montana Wildlife Federation because of the statewide organization’s stand on issues not directly related to hunting and fishing. In particular, H.W.C. “Doc” Newberry has objected to the MWF and he proposed again Thursday that the local group split from the Montana Wildlife Federation.
“Twenty years ago the Montana Wildlife Federation was very active and its goals were the same as ours,” Newberry said. “But as the years have gone by the state group has completely gone away from the basic things.”
Newberry said the state group has added “radical, leftwing social types” who are “using the environment as a means to attack our private enterprise system.” Newberry suggested a dual membership: $3 for membership in just the local group or $5 for membership in both organizations.
Flathead Wildlife Inc., president Jim Taplin said that a committee had studied the dual membership proposal and found it contrary to the local organization’s bylaws. Wayne Herman, vice-president of FWI, agreed that “the Montana Wildlife Federation is not perfect,” but he felt splitting from the state group would be “too drastic a step.”
Herman’s motion to continue affiliation with the state and national organizations gained unanimous approval.
— By GEORGE GEISE
Inter Lake Sports Editor