FOREST COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 153 



Maine was true to her motto, "Dirigo — I kail." Our system 

 of raising funds is better than in any other State, as no matter 

 how well they prepare, they are often hampered by the lack 

 of funds in the completion of their work as they depend on the 

 annual or biennial appropriations which might vary from time 

 to time. While in Maine our funds are fixed by law and if 

 by good management or a fortunate fire season we have a 

 balance, it accumulates for future use. 



The danger and risk of fires from the railroads, which in 

 former years were such a menace to our forests, has been mini- 

 mized and am pleased to note that the officials have cooperated 

 cheerfully and efficiently. 



I still think, as in former years, that an extra tax of one mill 

 should be assessed for one year on the timberlands in the 

 Forestry District for an emergency fund, and I could safely 

 guarantee that no timberland owners would ever be called on 

 to pay any money outside of the Forestry tax for fire protec- 

 tion. 



My attention has been called, within the past month, to a 

 plan of some of the people in Maine who are interested in its 

 forests, to present a bill to the next Legislature to abolish the 

 offices of State Land Agent and Forest Commissioner, and in 

 their stead to have the Governor appoint a Commission of 

 Lands and Forests composed of three men, one to serve for 

 three years, one for two years and one for one year thereafter. 

 One to be appointed annually for a term of three years. They 

 to appoint a business manager who will be virtually the Land 

 Agent. 



I most earnestly advise the incoming Legislature not to pass 

 such a law. One of the arguments advanced is to take the of- 

 fice out of politics, I do not agree in this proposition as I 

 think any Governor should have the privilege of selecting his 

 own officials to cooperate with him. It has been my experience 

 in the past, not only in this State but in other States, that when 

 Commissions were formed, instead of one head, that the State 

 has not gained anything in efficiency and the expense of the 

 Department has always been increased. Under this plan a 

 Commission would be appointed consisting of three men. If 

 they did not receive an ample salary to enable them to give 

 sufficient time to their duties, it would not be of much benefit 



