152 OUR NATIONAL FORESTS 



have a great value as the basis for a future crop of 

 timber. Thus, in the case of the United States 

 versus the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Rail- 

 road, in 1910, for fire trespass on the Black Hills 

 National Forest, caused by sparks from the loco- 

 motives operated by the company, the damages in- 

 cluded $17,900 for young growth. Also, in the 

 case of the United States versus the Great North- 

 ern Railroad, in 1911, in which suit was brought 

 upon the negligence (causing fires to start) of the 

 defendant company on their right-of-way, which 

 fires subsequently spread to the Blackfeet National 

 Forest, damages included the destruction of a great 

 many immature trees, the value of which was esti- 

 mated on the basis of their value at maturity dis- 

 counted to date. It is significant that this case 

 never went to trial; the defendant paid damages 

 and costs without argument. 



Under timber trespass are included the follow- 

 ing acts : the cutting, killing, girdling, or otherwise 

 damaging trees; the cutting of timber under sale 

 contract or permit before it is marked by a Forest 

 officer; the removal of timber before it is scaled, 

 measured, or counted by a Forest officer; and the 

 fraudulent stamping of any timber belonging to the 



