12 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



VIOLATIONS OF LAW. 



It is frequently said that laws framed to control the firing of 

 forests can not be enforced. New Jersey does enforce hers. 

 This is shown by the fact that during the year 254 violation 

 cases were settled and penalties aggregating $2,021.24 imposed 

 and collected. The fire law provides only money penalties except 

 in default of fines. And this is only a beginning; if there is no 

 other way every offender against the fire laws will be prosecuted 

 and respect for forest property enforced. 



CO-OPERATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. 



But perhaps the most significant feature of the new fire service 

 is the patrol maintained in North Jersey under a co-operative 

 agreement with the United States Forest Service. The Federal 

 Government allotted to this State $1,000, which sum was used to 

 pay a patrol of forty-four men who on hunting days and holi- 

 days travelled regular beats, laid out where fires might be 

 expected, and six watchers who looked for fires from convenient 

 observation points. Though somewhat favored by the weather 

 this force prevented the occurrence of any serious fire where 

 many were last year. 



This National aid has been worth much more than the thou- 

 sand dollars contributed, for besides preventing any serious fire 

 it has served to demonstrate the value of a, systematic patrol at 

 dangerous times and in exposed places; it has established an 

 organization which with little difficulty can be kept ready lor 

 any emergency; it has proved to the whole community the 

 sincerity of the Forest Commission's purpose to stop forest fires. 

 There is a good prospect that a considerably larger sum will be 

 made available for similar use next Spring. 



THE RAILROADS AND FOREST FIRES. 



The record shows that in this State more forest fires are set 

 by the railroads than by any other agency. It also shows that a 



