Current Literature aiid Revieivs. 27 



' ' That the State Constitution be so amended as to provide for 

 the practice of conservative forestry on the State lands (referring 

 to a clause in the Amended Constitution, which forbids the cut- 

 ting of any timber whatsoever on State lands), and for the sale 

 of dead, dying and mature timber under proper safeguards. 



"That the excellent work done by the United States government 

 in connection with our foresters, as shown by the report of the 

 United States Forestry Department herewith submitted, be con- 

 tinued and an appropriation of $3,500, as requested, be made for 

 that purpose. (See Working Plan for Township 40, T. and C. 

 P. Bulletin No. 30, Bureau of Forestry). That a force of rang- 

 ers be appointed for the prevention of forest fires, timber stealing 

 and poaching on State land. That all town fire wardens be 

 allowed a moiety of the fine in criminal actions in cases where 

 they can secure evidence that will lead to conviction for setting 

 forest fires." 



The wisdom of one or two of these recommendations can per- 

 haps be questioned. 



There seems to be no reason why the Bureau of Forestry 

 should do forestry work for this State. The Commission has 

 in Its employ men fully capable to conduct any forestry work ; 

 if it has not enough of them it is in a position to employ more. 



Doubt may also be expressed as to the wisdom of the moiety 

 system. It is little less than a system of bribery to do duty. By 

 many, money thus given is looked upon as blood money. The 

 system certainly lacks moral tone. If the State makes laws it 

 should provide a service, competent and well paid, to enforce 

 them. 



The introduction of a ranger system again in this State, as it 

 formerly existed, would be folly. The rangers were in general 

 what the game wardens are to-day, local officials, bound by the 

 ties of kin, of friendship, of neighborliness, to nearly every man 

 in their districts. The game wardens are prompt against a 

 stranger, but the local offenders who go unpunished are number- 

 less. A ranger service composed of men neither born nor bred 

 in the locality of their service, a body of men with some instruc- 

 tion in the aims and significance of forestry, well paid, allowed to 

 have no other occupation, so that they regard their position as 

 one of dignity, instead of a mere pick up on which a few spare 



