6 FOREST COMMISSIONER S REPORT, 



that there might be extensive conflagrations, we fortunately 

 escaped. 



For this fortunate exemption the department claims no 

 great merit, realizing that extensive fires were prevented in 

 the main on account of the people having waked up to the 

 necessitv of lookino- after and extinouishin^ them before they 

 got beyond their control. 



I am Sony to be obliged to report, however, that in several 

 instances when poor, disinterested men put in considerable 

 time and hard labor to prevent fires and protect the property 

 of others, they fiiiled to receive any compensation whatever, 

 owing to a defect in our law which fails to provide means by 

 which they can collect their pay in all instances. 



To my mind this needs remedying, as otherwise w^e cannot 

 expect any great assistance from such parties, and they are 

 often in position to render more effective service than any 

 other class of people we have. 



Also in case of the railroad companies there should be some 

 change in the law so that more exact information can be 

 obtained and means provided by which they will be compelled 

 to more nearly comply with the law than they do in some 

 instances at present. During the present season, since early 

 summer, there has not been any great risk from fires, owing 

 to frequent showers or rains, yet it has been an exceptional 

 year in that respect. 



Usually there are two periods of drought — spring and late 

 summer or fall. In each season forest fires are very liable 

 to do immense damaije, and it is sugofested that if railroad 

 companies at such seasons were ol^liged to send section men 

 over their beats immediately after each train for the especial 

 purpose of extinguishing fires set by sparks from the locomo- 

 tive, it w^ould seem to be a great safeguard, and we need all 

 reasonable safeguards possible. 



It seems important also that town and county officers should 

 report to this oflice a full list of all fire wardens appointed 

 throughout the State and that all such wardens should be 

 under the direction of the commissioner when he so desires. 



