if IT sees fit, to permit one who vio- 



lates the law to pay the costs of ex - 



tinguishing a fire instead of prosecut- 

 ing for the statutory fine. This is their privilege, 

 ;.ot an offender's right. The State Firewarden is 

 always glad to have a warden state in his report 

 whether in his opinion an offender deserves such 

 consideration. 



(40) A warden or township committee must not, 



under any circumstances, deal directly 

 Forest commis- with a violator of the law, even though 

 sion only can he ig willing to se ttle immediately by 



paying the bill. To do so in no way 

 relieves the offender from his legal responsibility, 

 and in no way assures him that he may not later be 

 required to pay the statutory fine. Bills for such 

 fires must be handled like all others and if the Forest 

 Commission authorizes a settlement the offender will 

 pay its Executive Officer and he will refund to the 

 township treasurer the whole amount recovered. A 

 warden must not let any offender off with a warning. 

 To do so may compromise him later through his as- 

 suming the authority given by law to the Forest 

 Commission only. 



(41) Wardens should bear in mind that when those 



responsible for a fire are discovered, 



Townships re- it will probably cost the township 



nothing for putting it out, but that 



when no responsibility is fixed, the 



township must pay half the bill. 



(42) Except when they make a summary arrest, 

 Local wardens township and district wardens will not 

 do not prose- appear as prosecutor in any case, 

 cute. (See, also, sec. 47.) 



(43) Refusal to fight fire usually is due to the 



ignorance of the offender and with 

 fteht fire* proper tact a warden will have few 



such cases to report. When an occa- 

 sion does arise be sure to proceed as follows: 



1. Have at least one witness present to 

 testify to a summons and refusal. 



2. Make, in person (or in writing), a formal 

 summons about as follows: "As Firewarden 

 for Township, I summon you to 



