EDITORIALS 



progress or ? When the Poreot waa young and the admin- 

 istrative work comparatively snail, we 



had from 20 to 25 year-long rangers, and couldn't see how 

 we opuld get along without then; "but now, when we r.re sell- 

 Ing .)35,tOC worth of timber a year, have numerous special 

 uses, mere grazing, more free uoo and settlers 1 sales, In 

 fact with administrative work more than doubled and the 

 maintenance of our improvements almost swrunplng us, we are 

 getting alcng with ten year-long men and throe si^-rronths 

 men. Ho wonder the ranger is getting uneasy for ^ear a 

 mechanical, gas-driven ranger will be invented that will 

 take the place of the old guard that is left. He loo!:3 

 in the Held Program and sees nre and more mra added 'io 

 the Washington and District Offices, but he must sit up 

 nights trying to keep the Supervisor from taking away 

 the only man he has. What's the answer ? Are we running 

 towards paper forestry ? Are we practising economy and 

 losing efficiency ? Axe we giving the Forest proper admin- 

 istration ? What is 0ing to happen to our inprovemeuts 

 which we value at v?5,000 If we cannot put time and money 

 Into their upkeep ? Is the public going to stand for such 

 rigid economy ? And will not our grip of the whole situation 

 be gradually lost?The editor has sme very definite opin- 

 ions n these criticisms f J-orest administration as prac- 

 tised, but before errpresslng then, he would like to open 

 the J&1IGER to a wholesome discussion of the subject by the 

 men wh have had very little hand In formulating a policy 

 whioh they must carry out. 



Fire Study of the protection problem on the Sierra has 

 shown us that 



1. The employment of a large number of patrolmen does not 

 materially reduce losses. 



2. The travelling public is not a serious fire risk. 



3. The Icssea remain more or less constant and are high or 

 lw as the incendiary is active or inactive. 



4. Unusual situations sometimes arise that cannot be fore- 

 seen and must be met at th time of their occurrence. 



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