On the strength of last summer's experience, the efficient 

 control of fires by the methods used, the railroads thought 

 it best to try that same scheme again next summer and im- 

 prove it later if change seems advisable. That is all right, 

 but it must be remembered that last summer was an excep- 

 tionally favorable year. There were very few fires to fight 

 and the experience cannot be considered as a fair test of any 

 system. Let us not fool ourselves by the apparent solution 

 of the problem. If we have a bad year, certainly more men 

 will be needed there is no doubt about it and we might as 

 well be prepared for it. Nor is it at all certain that the pres- 

 ent systems, though apparently best suited to present condi- 

 tions and organizations, will prove most satisfactory in the 

 end. Men who have other work to do cannot devote all their 

 time to fire patrol and it is almost impossible to impress them 

 with the importance of it. One man devoting his whole time 

 to it is bound to be more efficient than a whole section crew 

 with other duties and the very fact that there is some one 

 appointed specifically for that purpose adds very much im- 

 portance to it in the eyes of other men. Their efficiency 

 along that line is thus increased. 



Some of these points may be taken up, for the roads asked 

 Mr. Cox to formulate any suggestions that he might have 

 along this line and submit them to all the roads. This, in 

 connection with the reports to be submitted by the roads on 

 the work each has done in the past, should result in some 

 improvements. 



On the question of firebreaks there was still greater diver- 

 sity. Some had firebreaks outside the right of way, others 

 had breaks inside the right of way, others -had none at all. 

 Nor were all agreed on the most effective kind of firebreaks 

 some even doubted their efficiency at all. It is the field in 

 which the roads have had the least experience and conse- 

 quently the field where there is the greatest chance for im- 

 provement. It is perfectly true, as some one stated, that a 

 furrow or even several furrows will not by itself stop 

 many fires, but it is nevertheless a very valuable thing to 

 have. It makes it possible to burn with safety the strip be- 

 tween the furrow and the track, thus cleaning up the right 



