Current Literature. 4 21 



Among the measures adapted, the emergency appropriation 

 for payment of fire fighters was raised to $14,000 annually and 

 the compensation of wardens put on a basis of 25 cents per hour, 

 and for helpers 20 cents per hour instead of $2.00 and $1.50 per 

 day. The minimum penalty for violation of the statute against 

 setting fires accidentally or otherwise was made $50.00. For- 

 merly no minimum was stated. Camp fires must by the new law 

 be built only after clearing a space ten feet from the fire, of all 

 combustible material and must be extinguished before leaving. 

 The provisions for prosecution of offenders are strengthened by 

 an increased appropriation of $2,000 annually, by allowing the 

 acceptance of circumstantial evidence of neglect in allowing fire 

 to spread, and by adding a penalty for the neglect or refusal of 

 county attorneys or magistrates to take action against offenders. 



The old system of requiring the town supervisors to act as 

 fire wardens is retained, and town clerks and highway commis- 

 sioners are given similar duties. 



But the most important acts are three in number: First, the 

 commissioner is empowered to district the portions of the state 

 exposed to danger from fires, irrespective of local organization 

 and to appoint paid rangers at $5.00 per day to patrol for the 

 prevention of fire. The only limit to the extension and use of 

 this plan is the amount of money available. It marks the definite 

 adoption of the only scheme of fire protection that has ever 

 proven successful. 



Second. Railroads are required to employ a patrol for every 

 mile of road in districts where the danger is great. This is in 

 addition to the provision for clearing right of way and providing 

 spark arresters. If enforced, this will insure almost absolute im- 

 munity from fires from railroads. 



Third. The slashings (tops, branches, and rubbish) must be 

 burned at a seasonable time, and before May 1st, using due pre- 

 caution to prevent injury to standing timber. Before burning, 

 they must be piled, and burning without piling is prohibited. 



While conditions in Minnesota justify the enforcement of such 

 a provision as a measure for the prevention of damage from sub- 

 sequent fires, it is doubtful if the present organization of the 

 warden force, or the state of public opinion will permit of its 

 rigid enforcement except near towns or on land where there is an 



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