8 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



were received showing that the right of way was clear of 

 combustible material; but the instructions do not require 

 any report except in case the right of way is not cleared 

 of combustible material. In cases where evidence of 

 neglect was reported the facts were laid before the proper 

 county attorneys, with request that prosecutions be insti- 

 tuted. 



The enforcement of this provision of the law depends 

 very much upon the assistance which is furnished by 

 county attorneys. 



STAXK OK MINNESOTA. 



Fire Warden's Report of Combustible Materials on Railroad Right of Way. 



Section 12 of the Fire Warden Law (chapter 196, General Laws of Minn., 1895, 

 as amended by the act approved April 21, 1903) requires every railroad company 

 to keep its right of way to the width of fifty feet on each side of the main track 

 cleared of all combustible materials. This requirement is set forth in the notices 

 freshly posted each year at every railway station, and its disregard is likely to be 

 noticed by the public to the discredit of the fire warden service, let alone the 

 pecuniary damage that might result. Fire wardens are hereby instructed to 

 promptly report any violation of this provision. They will be held strictly re- 

 sponsible for its enforcement. Especially will the chairman inspect in a dry 

 season, and before dangerous weather, any railroad right of way in his town 

 where there is adjoining property over which fire would be likely to spread and do- 

 damage if started on the right of way, and if combustible material, whether dry 

 grass, weeds, bushes or other kind, is found on the right of way, to immediately 

 report the facts to the Chief Fire Warden in the form below. In such case there 

 should be an additional respectable witness of the combustible materials. The 

 fire warden who discovers the presence of combustible materials in a case as 

 above stated will promptly warn the section foreman or other proper railroad em- 

 ploye or officer to remove the same, and will observe and report to the Chief Fire 

 Warden whether, and when, such material is removed. Respectfully, 



C. C. ANDREWS, 

 ST. PAUL, May 7, 1903. Chief Fire Warden. 



To the Chief Fire Warden, St. Paul, Minn.: 



On the day of 190 .. . . the 



undersigned personally inspected the right-of-way of the (state 



name of railroad company) 



railroad, in the town of being Township No .... 



Range in the County of for the distance of 



(state about the number of miles or rods inspected) about. 



and between and 



(indicate locality as nearly as practicable). Combustible materials 

 consisting of (state whether dry grass, weeds, bushes or what 

 kind, and how high and abundant, and whether standing, cut or 

 in heaps) 



