A forest supervisor spent time assuring people that a sawmill on Mount Lemmon would not threaten the timber supply.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, July 26, 1916:
SAWMILL NO MENACE TO TIMBER SUPPLY
No Timber for Export Will Be Cut From Local Forests, Says Johnson
That no timber would be cut in the Coronado-Chiricahua national forest for export and that only timber for domestic use would be cut, was the statement of Forest Supervisor Don P. Johnson of the local station, who returned yesterday from a visit of a week in the Catalinas.
Mr. Johnson stated that there was some apprehension among local people that an excess of timber would be cut because a new saw mill was being erected on the Webber homestead by Jim Westfall, forest ranger.
This is a saw mill of small capacity, Mr. Johnson stated yesterday, and is being erected by Westfall entirely as a private proposition. It is for the purpose of cutting timber for the erection of bungalows and houses for residents on the Webber homestead, which has been taken over by the Summerhaven company, composed of Tucson capitalists. Timber from trees on the Webber homestead will be cut, starting September 1.
Only trees that should be cut to make room for the natural growth will be sacrificed, and then the timber will be used only in the district.
There is no danger of and first “devastation,” Mr. Johnson declares, and people need not worry about this feature.
The Catalinas for climate and scenic beauty are far beyond what Mr. Johnson had expected, and he declared that with the exception of water, the mountains were fully up to the New Mexico mountains in every particular.
The trout streams in the Catalinas, he stated, were worthy of comment. He stated that Stanley [unreadable name] Jr., caught 24 trout in one day while he was there.
While in the mountains, Mr. Johnson also surveyed the land requested by the University of Arizona. Two sections on top of Mount Lemmon will be used for a biological laboratory. The altitude is approximately 9000 feet.
Another two sections in Rock Canyon will be used for a spring and fall military camp for the University cadets. The location is rather low and would be too hot for summer for camping purposes, but in the spring or fall it is just right. There is running water at the camp site and thickets of cottonwood trees.
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That same supervisor told the Luncheon Club all about the new Mount Lemmon road.
Luncheon Club to Hear Of Mount Lemmon Road
Supervisor Don Johnson Will Tell Observations of Recent Trip
Forest Supervisor Don P. Johnson recently arrived in the city to assume the duties of chief of the combined Coronado-Chiricahua National forest reserve, will be the principal speaker at the Friday meeting of the Tucson Luncheon club.
Supervisor Johnson has just returned from his first visit to the Catalinas and Mount Lemmon and he is very enthusiastic over the possibilities of these nearby mountains as a summer resort. He will give information in regard to the proposed road to Mount Lemmon and will answer any questions put to him with regard to the proposed government aid for highways.
It is thought that some definite action may be started in regard to obtaining federal aid for the proposed Mount Lemmon highway, which it is believed will cost more than the estimate of $100,000.
