What the Firewardens Had to Say. 



I append here some extracts from the reports of the town fire- 

 wardens which furnish additional information of a special character 

 and serve to give a better idea of the conditions under which their 

 work was carried on. They are from practical, experienced men 

 whose opinions are entitled to careful consideration. While I do not 

 always agree with the firewardens in their views and suggestions, it 

 seems proper to call the attention of the Commission to what they 

 have to say about these matters. In these extracts from the " Re- 

 marks " in their reports, it is highly satisfactory to note the keen 

 interest and zeal which they evidently take in the discharge of their 

 duties. Nowhere have I found anything indicating apathy or indif- 

 ference. I include also some extracts from letters and telegrams 

 received from them, which were sent in order to get instructions or 

 advice as to doubtful questions that came up in the course of their 

 work; also, some from letters sent by citizens in relation to the 

 fires in their towns or on their property. 



Mr. George W. Header, firewarden of the town of Dannemora, 

 Clinton county, N. Y., says in his report under the printed heading 

 " Remarks " : We had a drought lasting sixty days. The land had 

 been cut over and left with brush and some standing timber in small 

 spots. I worked two days in putting out fire at the edge of a coo- 

 acre tract of State land near Dannemora Prison, and stopped it before 

 it did any damage. I have arrested five persons for building fallow 

 fires without permission, and so have stopped any more setting of 

 such fires. 



Mr. William Hopkins, Ausable Forks, Clinton county. I do not 

 think the fires this season were of incendiary origin. Never In my 

 experience have conditions been so favorable for fire. For seven 

 weeks not one drop of rain fell, and the drought began so early 



