56 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



fire warden system. Just because I formulated the first law 

 of this kind for New York in 1885, I am fully aware of its 

 shortcomings, and of the improvements needed, especially 

 in its execution. 



In the first place, it appears that this protection against 

 forest fires is not obligatory, but optional Avith each town ; 

 at least, there is no certainty how far the obligation of the 

 town goes. I do not know whether or not any town has 

 refused to go into this fire warden system, but I fear, from 

 some statements I have read, that the law is practically a 

 dead letter. I submit that the State's interest demands, and 

 in fact that each town's interest demands, that the obligation 

 to protect forest property efficiently should be made manda- 

 tory. You might as Avell give up talking about this inter- 

 esting subject of forestry, if you cannot secure this first 

 duty of a civilized community. If the towns cannot be 

 induced or forced to do their dutv, then the State must do 

 it for them. 



In the second place, the towns are permitted to appropriate 

 for this service only an amount not exceeding one-tenth of 

 one per cent of their valuation. In other words, if a really 

 serious conflagration threatens them, recjuiring an extraor- 

 dinary ettbrt, they are by law prevented from protecting 

 themselves, except by individual ettbrt. This limitation was 

 probably put in to prevent extravagance, but it is evident 

 that some provision in case of emergency is needed. 



The New York law, and experience in regard to its defects, 

 and the method in vogue in Ontario, suggest the folloAving 

 improvements. The State should co-operate with the towns 

 in the expense of the fire service in an equitable proportion, 

 and the service should be obligatory on all the towns. To 

 make this co-operative service efiective, a chief tire warden 

 must be in charge of it, nmst have a voice in the appoint- 

 ment of fire wardens, or else may have fire Avardens ai)pointed 

 by the State to co-operate Avith the toAvn Avarden, and nmst 

 audit the bills. Ncav York, ]\Iaine, Wisconsin and Minne- 

 sota have tried this system. In Ncav York the State pays 

 half the expense of the service. One improvement on the 

 method of payment over that existing in Ncav York may be 



