RAILWAYS AND FOREST PROTECTION 39 



seaboard. The railways, more than anybody else, appreciate the possibilities 

 of the proper conservation, care and development of these areas, and that 

 where they now carry people by the hundreds to these resorts they will soon 

 be carrying them by the thousands with resulting benefit both to themselves 

 and to the communities residing within these districts. 



We have heard a great deal lately about the cost of living. With the 

 wiping out of the tie, post and lumber supply through this northern lumber 

 country, the effect on the maintenance cost to the railways, about which we 

 have heard so much in the rate hearings lately, would be particularly dis- 

 astrous. 



We all remember the day when the northern limit of agriculture was 

 about at Green Bay, Wis. Today we find, bordering the lakes, successful 

 agriculture carried on right up to and bej'ond Lake Superior, and where for- 

 merly the forest held sway we find today prosperous and contented settlers 

 improving the land, raising crops and sustaining not only themselves but the 

 large communities incident to that territory. Had this territory been defor- 

 ested through fires, the ability to get settlers to go in there would have been 

 limited as, in a great many cases, even the soil itself is destroyed or rendered 

 unfertile through fires passing over it, and the ability therefore to develop 

 agriculturally is gone. 



The question now occurs, what, with all their varied interests in the pre- 

 vention of forest fires, have the railways done to prevent them ? I know what 

 the general practice has been. 



First. Maintenance of a clean right of way, free from brush, stumps and 

 rubbish. 



Second. Co-operation with the fire wardens in keeping the right of way 

 thoroughly cleaned up and burned off. 



Third. Absolutely prohibiting the setting of fires by section men, or 

 other employees, except during the winter months or under the direction or 

 order of the fire warden. 



Fourth. Installation of the very best and most approved netting in the 

 front ends of locomotives, and constant investigation and experimenting into 

 every new appliance that promises any relief from fire. In connection with 

 this a very thorough system of inspection at terminals and record of the con- 

 dition of netting, and arrangements for repairs of same when defective. 



Plfth. During particularly dry periods the abandonment of freight serv- 

 ice during daylight hours. 



Sixth. When dry conditions prevail the establishment of patrol either 

 behind trains moving through the district, or at points in close proximity to 

 each other, to guard against fires starting on the right of way and all times 

 maintaining section patrols. 



Seventh. By instructing train crews and engine crews on the importance 

 of avoiding every possibility of setting fires, and directing them when fire is 

 found on the right of way, to stop their trains wherever practical and put it 

 out. Or in cases where their own, or any other train, would be endangered by 

 such steps, by leaving word with the first agent or section crew and having 

 them start back all the help possible to put out the fire. 



What further can the railways do? I am very frank to say that I do not 

 know. 



They believe that the protection of the forests now conserves the rev- 

 enues of the railways in the future, and to many of the railways it means their 

 future life and prosperity. 



They believe that the protection of the forests may be bettered by more 

 efficient control by the officers of the states over all the interests engaged in 

 business in the timber areas. 



