52 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD'S ENPORSEMENT. 



Probably the most significant single effort to secure forest protec- 

 tion is the action of the Pennsylvania Railroad embodied in in- 

 structions issued to its employees on February i, 1912. Sot com- 

 plete and so emphatic are these instructions that a copy, much 

 reduced in size, is reproduced. In the last paragraph the railroad's 

 breadth of attitude is particularly emphasized. See opposite 



RAILROAD FIRELINES. 



The status of the law commonly known as the Railroad Fireline 

 Law, 2 Comp. Stat. p. 2239, has not been altered, so far as its 

 operation is concerned. 



Although the temporary nullification of the law, (See p. 8) is 

 hampering the construction and maintenance of the firelines to a 

 large degree, it is again cheering to note that the railroads, more 

 particularly the New Jersey Central, continue their policy of vol- 

 untary fireline construction. An unfortunate feature in connection 

 with the situation is, however, that along some railroads, and some 

 sections of others, existing lines have been neglected. This failure 

 to maintain construction already done is most unfortunate, both 

 because it is a direct loss of expensive work and also because on 

 those lines that have been allowed to grow unkempt at least five 

 fires have started and burned from them to adjoining woodland. 

 There is no case recorded in which a ,fire has crossed a well made 

 and properly maintained fireline. 



There have been again one or two instances in which a fire has 

 started from a spark thrown clear beyond the fireline, but as here- 

 tofore these cases are so rare and occur under conditions so un- 

 usual, as to wind and atmosphere, that they in no way argue 

 against the value of the fireline in controlling railroad fires. 



The outlook for next year's work is highly encouraging in that 

 three roads, the Atlantic City, New Jersey Central and Pennsyl- 

 vania, have already indicated their desire to make appreciable ad- 

 ditions to their mileage of firelines and the latter its intention to put 

 into first class shape the total mileage that is now completed along 

 its lines. 



Although these features do encourage, the situation is still one 

 upon which the Fire Service looks with concern. That firelines 



