(By Prof. E. G. Cheyney, Director of the Forest School, 

 University of Minnesota.) 



WE always look forward with interest to the first report 

 of any new undertaking to see what it promises for 

 the future. This is especially true in the case of the 

 establishment of a new department in the State Service. 

 Will it simply assume the titles given it by law and proceed 

 to spend the appropriation allotted to it in the easiest and 

 least disturbing way? Will it become a part of the political 

 machine a roosting place for lame ducks using its appoint- 

 ive power to secure the votes of otherwise useless employees? 

 Or will it really be an efficient organization, grasping thq 

 problems presented to it with a broad comprehension of its 

 possibilities, striving for the welfare of the state and seek- 

 ing to get value received for every penny expended? 



That is the most important question and it is answered in 

 the first annual report of the State Forester of Minnesota, in 

 no uncertain tone. The whole report rings true to the note 

 of efficiency and service. All the men in the new service are 

 technically trained men or experienced woodsmen holding 

 their positions through efficiency. 



Broad Scope of Work Undertaken By the Department. 



A mere glance at the nature of the contents of the report 

 shows the broad conception which the forester has of his 

 duties: fire prevention and fire fighting in all its phases, 

 including the education of its citizens, the disposal of slash, 

 the protection of frontier towns, the building of watch towers, 

 the improvement of trails and portages, the construction of 

 telephone lines, the surveying and mapping of tracts of abso- 

 lute forest land, a study of the extent and distribution of 

 the state's forests, the forest's share in the wealth and wel- 



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