CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 7 



RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAYS. 



Section 12 of the fire warden law requires railroad com- 

 panies (which of course includes logging railroad com- 

 panies) to keep their right of way to the width of 50 feet 

 on each side of the center of the main track cleared of 

 combustible materials. This is found to be a rather diffi- 

 cult provision to enforce, While some roads are kept 

 cleared of combustible material in an exemplary manner, 

 there are companies which are habitually neglectful in 

 this regard. Railroad companies keep posted at their 

 stations along their lines warning notices, furnished by 

 the state, against forest and prairie fires, and which set 

 forth, among other things, that any railroad company 

 failing to keep its right of way cleared of combustible 

 materials is liable to a fine not exceeding $100. What 

 must the public riding over these roads think to read 

 these notices, and then to see by the rubbish and com- 

 bustible material left along the right of way that the 

 company fails to live up to the law? On the other hand, 

 where a company keeps its right of way thoroughly 

 cleared of combustible material and in a trim condition, 

 how valuable the example is, aside from the security 

 against fires. It should not cost very much to do this 

 work, and neglect of the railroad company faithfully to 

 have it done does not indicate that scrupulous care which 

 the public has a right to expect of corporations which are, 

 above all others, supposed to exercise the strictest care 

 that is possible. 



With a view of having railroad companies observe 

 more strictly this provision of law requiring their right of 

 ways to be kept cleared of combustible materials a blank, 

 like the one printed below, was furnished to the fire war- 

 dens whose towns are traversed by railroads. Pursuant to 

 this 1 2 reports were received showing that the right of way 

 was not clear of combustible material, and 24 reports 



