FOREST FIRES 11 



The problem of preventing fires from sparks resolves itself, 

 therefore, into careful inspection and prompt repairs of spark 

 arresters and the removal of inflammable material for a dis- 

 tance of fifty feet from the center of the track. 



The railroads are trying to fulfil these conditions. Spark 

 arresters are inspected at intervals and rights of way are 

 also cleaned up at intervals. The New York, New Haven & 

 Hartford Railroad has in some places acquired and cleaned 

 up the land for some seventy feet on either side of its tracks. 

 But the great number of fires set by the roads is proof that 

 the efforts of the railroads to prevent forest fires are only 

 partly effective, and that there is plenty of room for im- 

 provement. 



DAMAGE CLAIMS AGAINST THE RAILROADS 

 While the railroads are the chief sinners in setting forest 

 fires, they are also the chief sufferers, as is shown by the 

 figures quoted below. They represent the amounts paid in 

 Massachusetts by the roads named in the settlement of dam- 

 ages from forest fires alleged to be set by locomotives. 



New London Northern 



for three years ending June 30, 1906 .... $8,339 36 

 Boston & Albany 



Nov. 1, 1903 to Nov. 1, 1904 4,699 33 



" " 1904 " " " 1905 ... . . . . 8,450 60 



" " 1905 " July 20, 1906 7,244 62 



Boston & Maine 



1903 . . . . ... .. . 84,859 15 



1904 * ......... 19,426 36 



1905 . 35,560 89 



New York, New Haven & Hartford 



Year ending June 30, 1902 . .. '. . . 13,658 49 



" 30,1903 , . . . . .. 19,10779 



" 30,1904 . . . . . . 19,395 55 



" 30, 1905 ... . . . . 26,311 20 



" 30, 1906 . . . . . . 45,112 96 



In the light of these figures the charge commonly made 

 that the railroads are intentionally negligent is absurd; for 

 it is to their financial interest to restrict the number and 

 size of claims. And yet most of the fires would not be set if 



