95 



An additional safeguard now exists by the passage of the act which 

 authorizes peace officers to make summary arrest "on view," without 

 a warrant having been previously obtained, of those who may be rea- 

 sonably suspected of violating the laws for the protection of forest 

 property. This was rendered necessary by the fact that in the wood- 

 land counties where such offenses are more frequent and most serious, 

 that the formality of obtaining a warrant usually allowed he~c 7 scape 

 of the offender. Such a law has been in operation in Canada and it is 

 believed with good results. 



In certain of our counties it is still the custom to burn over ground 

 which has been recently cleared to put it in condition to obtain a crop 

 of grass. This "burning of the fallows," as it is called, has often been 

 done without proper, or indeed any, precaution being taken to prevent 

 its spread. Some of our most disastrous forest fires have been so 

 created. One can readily see that this condition of affairs is a sur- 

 vival from earlier days, when each settler who opened up a home in the 

 heart of the woods was a "law unto himself." As population in- 

 creases, and as neighbors approach him, the good of all parties re- 

 quires certain restraints. In conversation with those who have been 

 accustomed to burn their fallows, it was stated in so many words that 

 it was each man's "business to look out for himself." It was not con- 

 sidered the fault of the man who created the fire if it invaded the prop- 

 erty of another, but was regarded as neglect in the second party if he 

 allowed it to do so. 



One may readily see that the prevalence of such an idea may work 

 untold harm. It compels any citizen to live in what, at best, might be 

 termed an "armed neutrality" with his neighbor. It opens an avenue 

 for malice to wreak itself upon others and is in every way unsuited to 

 the age in which we live. Some states have legislated against it by 

 requiring such work to be done under official supervision, or at least 

 only at proper times and with official permission. It is supposed by 

 many of our citizens that there is no law to prevent one from creating 

 a fire upon his own property when he sees fit, at any risk to that of his 

 neighbor. If brought into court it would probably be discovered that 

 this is an error, and that the legal responsibility can be placed where 

 it belongs. The pleasantest aspect of this special problem is that it is 

 fast working its own solution, and that we may hope accidents from 

 this cause will constantly become rarer. 



In connection with forest fires another question may any 'day be 

 started. For example, "back firing" has long been resorted to as a 

 most efficient method of heading off a previously existing forest fire. 

 That it is open to grave abuse no one can doubt. To illustrate: A 

 fire exists on the land of A. The land of B lies between that of A and 

 C. In order to protect himself C may start a fire along the boundary 

 between B and himself. A change in the wind may occur, and the 



