36 



rangers include only patroling and watching, these men do very well ; 

 but as the reserves are now beginning to be managed more intensely, 

 a ranger should be a man of at least sufficient intelligence to be able 

 to make reports on work done, to keep the time of laborers, and con- 

 duct the sale of wood. 



Again, some of the present rangers are too old to be of much service 

 to the Department. These men were often appointed when the land 

 was purchased, no doubt because of their familiarity with the lines 

 of the tracts. In this, it is true, they are often superior to younger 

 men, but as the boundaries of the reserves are now being carefully 

 located by surveys and men are being put in charge of the reserves 

 who know how to determine the position of a line when the question 

 arises, the need of their services in this direction is diminishing 

 yearly. Because of their age they do not spend the amount of time on 

 ihe reserves that they should, and they are not able to perform well 

 severe labor, which often has to be done under trying conditions, such 

 as fighting fire. Therefore, if the maximum age of men appointed 

 was about 45 years, and then only those considered who are physically 

 able to do hard labor, the reserves would show the result of the change 

 in a short time. When a ranger is to be appointed, other conditions 

 being equal, a man should be chosen who lives nearest to the reserve. 

 One living three or four miles from his reserve cannot give good ser- 

 vice with this distance to traverse to reach his work. If dwelling 

 houses found on the reserves are to be used as houses for rangers and 

 their families, they should be kept in repair. If it is necessary to 

 erect buildings for this purpose, comfortable cabins should be built 

 as the kind of men we like to occupy them is not the kind that is 

 satisfied with anything. 



All rangers should be sworn forest officers. When a man is under 

 oath to see that the law is obeyed there is no inclination to leave 

 wrongs unrighted. The ranger service might be greatly improved 

 by the payment of a salary of about f 45 per month, every man'receiv- 

 ing the same amount. Very efficient men could be secured at such a 

 salary. Even at the present salaries which as a rule are lower, some 

 very capable men who are often making a great deal more than the 

 rangers, figuring on a per day basis, inquire as to the prospects of 

 getting a position, being attracted by the regular all-the-year-round 

 employment. Much goad might be accomplished by having the 

 rangers make out their reports according to a regular system, show- 

 ing the kind of work at which they were employed each day of the 

 month, and the number of hours per day. The latter would prevent 

 men from spending two or three hours on the reserve and recording 

 it as the work of a full day. They should be allowed to be absent 

 from the reserve a definite number of days per month. If they wish 

 to be absent more days than the required number, the permission of 

 the forester or of the Department ought first to be obtained. 



