The only way in which the forest fire problem can be han- 

 dled in any state is by co-operation. The idea of school boy 

 forest scouts is novel and proving a great success in the state 

 of Michigan. The following is an article written for the New 

 York Forestry Association by James Hale McGillivray, deputy 

 state forestry warden of Michigan and supervisor of scouts. 



AFTER the terrible forest fires of 1908 in Michigan, in 

 which large areas of timbered land were burned over 

 and a score of lives were lost, it was apparent to think- 

 ing people that new means of conserving the great natural 

 asset of the state were absolutely necessary. There was con- 

 siderable agitation in favor of legislation which would prevent 

 a recurrence of the devastation, and much was expected of 

 the legislature elected that fall. A new law was passed, and 

 the public domain commission was established, but the law 

 did not provide adequate machinery for handling the situation, 

 nor was money enough appropriated. 



But that the problem had not been solved was indicated 

 plainly enough in the summer of 1911, when once more both 

 the upper and lower peninsula felt the power of the fire 

 scourge; half a dozen people at least died in the flames, and 

 the property damage was some $4,000,000. 



Now there has developed a system of fire fighting that prom- 

 ises to solve, in a very large degree, Michigan's problem of 

 protection and conservation. A decade or less ago this method 

 would have been scoffed to scorn, and there were many who 

 were extremely doubtful of its value when it was suggested. 



This system is nothing more or less than the employment 

 of the boys of Michigan as forest scouts and fire fighters. 

 Three years ago State Game, Fish and Forestry Warden Wil- 

 liam R. Gates commenced organizing companies. The first 

 was formed in the stricken town of Oscoda, where there was 

 every reason why the people should understand the need for 

 some new method of fire fighting. Quickly other companies 

 were formed in. other towns. At present the forest scouts 



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