In this connection, it was suggested thai weather- 

 vanes and flagpoles be erected at each section house, and 

 that all reports note wind direction. 



Concerning the time when patrol should he put on 

 and taken off, the railroad men were almost unanimous 

 in the opinion that this was a responsibility which the 

 state should assume. Mr. Larson, of the Great North- 

 ern, emphasized the difficulties which he encountered if 

 this course were not followed. He felt that it was the 

 business of the rangers to know conditions and it was 

 their responsibility. There was no objection, he said, 

 to asking the ranger from time to time if the patrol 

 might be discontinued, but the railroads were making 

 a mistake in acting without the ranger's permission. 

 This appeared to voice the sentiment of the majority. 



Mr. Craig, of the D., W. & P. railway brought up the 

 question of badges for railway patrolmen and railway 

 officials concerned with fire protective work. He asked 

 if the British Columbia plan could not be adopted in 

 some form so as to lend at least the dignity of the state 

 to those who were independently working in the inter- 

 est of forest protection. I feel that this is a matter 

 worthy of careful consideration. If something of the 

 kind can be done, there is a means of crystalizing 

 wholesome ideas of forestry in the minds of many hun- 

 dreds of people throughout the state. It was requested 

 that I ascertain what action may best be taken. 



By the way: 



Mr. Mills, of the M. & I. Railway, reported all yards 

 in District 2 cleaned up, and right-of-way burned as far 

 as Bemidji. Patrol is by section crews: doesn't be- 

 lieve hand speeders are any good, too slow. 



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