THE LAKE STATES FIRE CONFERENCE 31 



ground has been quite fully covered in articles by Mr. Graves in recent num- 

 bers of American Forestry. C. R. Pettis, superintendent of state forests of 

 New York, gave an address on "How New York Prevents Forest Fires." A 

 paper by Edward T. Allen, forester of the Western Forestry and Conserva- 

 tion Association, was read by J. E. Rhodes. The substance of this paper will 

 be contained in an article on the work of his association which Mr. Allen is 

 preparing for this magazine. In a supplementary letter read by Mr. Rhodes, 

 Mr. Allen made these definite recommendations for the essentials of an efifec 

 tive state policy : 



1. A state board of forestry selected with the single view of securing the most 

 competent expert judgment on the matters with which it deals. Elective or otherwise 

 political representations should be eliminated, with the single exception of the governor 

 himself, and the latter should be restricted in his appointments to the representatives of 

 the agencies most familiar with forest management, like forest schools, lumbermen'.? 

 associations, forest fire associations, conservation associations and the federal Forest 

 Service, etc. 



2. A trained state forester, wholly independent of politics, chosen by the board 

 largely for his demonstrated ability in executive and practical work. Here is one place 

 not to economize, but to get the best available, for upon him depend the successful 

 development and execution of a rational, far-seeing policy, the organization of fire work, 

 the tactful enforcement of law, and the effectiveness of the educational campaign. He 

 should have one or more assistants of his own appointing. 



3. Adequate funds and authority in the state forester's hands to get the assistance 

 necessary to enforce the fire laws, apprehend violators, and secure evidence for their 

 conviction, where local means of doing this is not effective. The property owner can 

 not act in this successfully and local county officials often fail to give the subject proper 

 interest. 



4. Funds and organization enabling the state to patrol and fight fire, where these 

 steps are necessary to protect life and property, but where the interest of forest 

 owners or the intelligence of local authorities are insufficient to provide any such protec- 

 tion. Local effort should be sought to the greatest possible extent, but where it does not 

 exist the state's responsibility to protect its citizens from distress is all the greater. 



5. Funds and organizations with which the state can encourage and cooperate with 

 local effort, whether by counties, towns or forest owners' associations. Seldom, If ever, 

 can these afford to bear the entire burden of a system as effective as public welfare 

 demands. Nor is it fair that they should, for the entire state participates in the benefit. 

 Nor will the public at large ever take the proper interest in fire prevention, in good laws, 

 and in good officers, until it has a financial stake in the system. 



6. Clear, detailed and comprehensive fire laws, bearing rigidly and justly upon all 

 classes alike, whether railroad, lumberman, camper or settler, but flexible in application 

 to differing localities and seasons. Since enforcement, rather than to secure penalty for 

 violation, is their object, the penalties should not be so heavy as to deter conviction, but 

 the prohibitions should be strict. There should be penalty for neglect by any proper 

 officer or magistrate to enforce them. 



7. Application of forestry principles to the management of all state-owned forest 

 lands and ample funds for the purchase of land suited better for state than for private 

 forestry. Until the state shows confidence in forestry, individuals can not be expected to. 



8. Encouragement of private reforestation by assessing deforested land annually on 

 land value only, unenhanced by reason of any growth thereon, and deferring taxation 

 of the crop until it furnishes revenue with which to pay the tax. 



9. Systematic study of forest conditions and management, to afford basis of intelli- 

 gent administration, further legislation, and the public and private practice of forestry. 



10. Sustained systematic publicity and educational work, with specific advice to 

 those who desire to improve their methods. When everyone understands the importance 

 of forest preservation it will be secured without trouble; and the state is the proper 

 exponent. 



11. Close and constant conference with properly accredited representatives of 

 private forest industry. Business and technical considerations are involved if the state 

 activity is more than a name. Independent action will fail to get the best results even 

 if it does not invite actual friction. 



12. Through the study of this subject of taxing the mature timber, to the end of 

 adopting a system which, by insuring fair revenue without enforcing bad forest manage- 

 ment, will result in general community good. 



Marcus Schaaf, state forester of Michigan, discussed the forest laws of 

 that state, and Edward M. GriflQth, state forester of Wisconsin, discussed 

 conditions in that state. 



