770 Forestry Quarterly. 



Cape May counties. All three roads will also do considerable 

 work in cleaning up and making effective the lines that have been 

 constructed heretofore. The length of fire lines now in service 

 on all railroads approximates 250 miles. The increase this year 

 will probably raise the total to at least 300 miles. 



It is rather remarkable that this law which has been declared 

 unconstitutional should still be so effectively supported by the 

 very parties against whom it was directed ; that is, the railroads 

 which endanger the forests of the State. The Forest Commission 

 expects that the decision of the Court of Chancery will be re- 

 versed by the Court of Errors and Appeals. Such a decision is 

 earnestly hoped for as a means of enforcing the provisions of the 

 Act where less liberal minded or less far sighted railroad com- 

 panies are concerned. 



On account of the unusually wet weather which has prevailed 

 during the latter part of the summer, there has been but little 

 strain upon the organization of the Fire Inspection Department 

 of the Canadian Railway Commission. Since June, fires have 

 been largely conspicuous by their absence, and such fires as have 

 occurred have for the most part been attributable to causes other 

 than the railways. The work of the Fire Inspection Department 

 of the Railway Commission has been organized, under Order 

 16570 of the Board in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, 

 Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The requirements as to special 

 patrols, reporting and extinguishing of fires by railway employees, 

 and the disposal of inflammable material along railway rights of 

 way, are being administered, and the work of the railway com- 

 panies inspected, through a cooperative arrangement whereby 

 certain officials of the British Columbia Forest Service and of 

 the Dominion Forestry and Parks Branches, are appointed offi- 

 cers of the Railway Commission without additional salary. 

 These officials handle the railway fire work as a part of their 

 regular duties. The plan is working very satisfactorily, and it is 

 hoped that it can be extended to the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, 

 New Brunswick and Nova Scotia when the work of the Fire 

 Inspection Department is extended to these Provinces for the 

 summer of 1913. 



In connection with the prevention and control of railway fires 



