FOREST SERVICE. 535 



under present laws. The Forest Service has desired to extend coop- 

 eration to many other States, but has been prevented froi* doing so by 

 their faihire to meet the requirements. 



To insure the efficient expenditure of the funds allotted, each State, 

 before the beginning of the fire season, has been required to submit 

 a protective phin showing the watersheds to be protected, and in de- 

 tail the part to be taken by States and private owners and the manner 

 in which Federal funds are to be used to supplement or complete the 

 system of the State and private owners. As rapidly as necessary 

 permanent improvements and other conditions will allow, the ex- 

 penditure of Federal funds is being restricted to the employment of 

 patrolmen or lookout watchmen. This plan increases the effectiveness 

 of the work and simplifies field inspection, auditing, and accounting. 

 The service is manning lookout points as rapidly as they are located 

 and equipped by the States. 



So far as men are available, the protective work within each State 

 is inspected annually. The results and conclusions secured from such 

 inspection are furnished to the State authorities. The intensive study 

 of all State organizations during the year makes it possible to ac- 

 quaint each State with the best methods which have been developed 

 in all others. Authority is reserved by the Government to cancel 

 cooperation where inefficient work is found, or to terminate the services 

 of inefficient men. As rapidly as practicable, railroad patrol by Federal 

 patrolmen is to be restricted, since such patrol is held to be properly 

 the duty of the railroad companies. State foresters are urged and 

 required to secure the maximum of assistance from railroad com- 

 panies. During favorable seasons, when it is possible to reduce the 

 number of patrolmen and accordingly the expenditures for fire pro- 

 tection. States are required to reduce Federal and State expenditures 

 proportionately. 



To insure exactness in the method of expenditures and to prevent 

 misunderstanding as to the condition governing cooperation, the work 

 in each State for each year is covered by a cooperative agreement 

 between the Secretary of Agriculture and a State official. To supple- 

 ment the inspection of Federal officers, to give the fullest possible 

 opportunity of understanding the plan followed by the State, and to 

 insure the adoption during succeeding years of all improved methods 

 of protection, a full report on results secured is called for from each 

 State at the end of the fire season. 



The benefits already derived from expenditures under this act can 

 not be overestimated. Greater interest in fire protection has been stim- 

 ulated in all the cooperating States. This is shown in the enactment 

 of better laws, in appropriations, and in much more efficient fire pro- 

 tection. The educational value of the work is very great because of 

 the close contract of Federal and State patrolmen with the people. 

 During the year 1911 alone Federal patrolmen in New Hampshire 

 were able to warn 4,200 people against carelessness in the use of camp 

 fires. 



In general, cooperation with the States has resulted in more effi- 

 cient protective systems, in jjermanent organizations which make 

 use of lookouts and telej)hones for the prompt discovery of and 

 quick communication regarding fires, and in the abandonment of old, 

 incllicient methods of voluntary service, and services by ex officio 

 wardens, and uncertain action by counties and municipalities. 



