12 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



Commission will co-operate actively with the shade tree interests 

 that have this matter in charge. 



The appropriations made for the year 1912, $9,200, for sal- 

 aries, traveling expenses, care of the reserves, shade tree work, 

 etc., and $15,000 for forest fires, have also been sufficient. In fact, 

 it was possible to return to the Treasury an unexpended balance 

 of $1,700 on the fire account and to pay in nearly $600 received 

 for products sold and for recovered fire expenses. The exact total 

 of all expenditures cannot be given because the accounts with 

 many townships are never fully settled, while numerous pending 

 cases are subject to a varied disposition. Approximately the net 

 expenditure for the year, by State and townships, is: 



BY THE STATE. 



For Administration, Care of Reserves, Education, Etc. 



Appropriation $ 9,200 



Less expenses and income refunded 580 



$ 8,620 



For the Forest Five Service. 



Appropriation ._ $1 5,000 



Less refund ' 1,700 



$13,300 



BY THE TOWNSHIPS. 



For Firewardens' salaries and expenses $ 3,176 



Less penalties refunded 1,421 



' $ 1,755 



Total $23,675 



For the year 1913 the appropriations already made are $15,000 

 for forest fires and $10,500 for forestry. It is the aim of the Com- 

 mission to keep the State's share of the cost of the forest fire 

 service within $15,000 a year, for while certain expenses will in- 

 crease as the organization is made more effective those charges 

 should be offset by a reduction in fire-fighting bills. In any case 

 .the State now pays its full share, and if the cost does increase 

 the townships and the property owners that are benefited should 

 bear the excess. On the other hand, the Commission must ask for 

 a reasonable increase from year to year in its appropriation for 

 forestry. As the reserves increase in value they require more labor 

 on them, yet under the law every expenditure for making timber or 

 other product available, as well as cost of maintenance, is charged 

 to the forestry account, while all income must be covered directly 



