44 



III. Uniform Forestry Legislation. 



It was the consensus of opinion, as the result of the first 

 New England conference called by the Governors of the New 

 England States, that much mutual benefit could come through 

 uniform legislation. Through a call by the Massachusetts 

 State Forester, the New England State Forestry officials met 

 at the State House, Boston, on December 4, and decided to 

 make the following general recommendations for considera- 

 tion by their respective State Legislatures : 



(a) Resolved, That the cost of extinguishing fires known to be set 

 by railroads shall be paid for by said railroad corporations. 



(b) Eesolved, That when forest fires are caused by individuals, the 

 individuals causing said fires shall be liable for all expense of their 

 extinguishment. 



(c) Eesolved, That it is the opinion of the committee that the 

 present Massachusetts forest fire law relative to giving permits for 

 the burning of brush and setting of fires out of doors should be 

 adopted for all the States. 



(d) Resolved, That we believe in legislation to regulate the man- 

 agement of forest lands, and that a permit be required by operators 

 of portable mills from the State forest officials. 



(e) Resolved, That there should be a law in each State, similar to 

 the Vermont law, authorizing the Governor to issue a proclamation, 

 when it is thought advisable by the State forest official, prohibiting 

 sportsmen and others from traversing the woods unnecessarily. 



(f) Resolved, That there should be definite understandings with 

 the railroads and State forestry officials as to the dangerous sections 

 of the railroad lines traversing the respective States, so that patrols 

 by the railroads may be established whenever it is thought advisable 

 by the State. 



(g) Resolved, That there should be a law to regulate the taking of 

 firearms into the woods during the closed season on game. 



IV. Increased Appropriation needed. 



The State Forester feels it none other than his duty to 

 ask for an increased appropriation for his work this coming 

 year. 



If examined carefully, it can be shown that the expendi- 

 ture for reforestation and nursery work, while in itself an 

 expenditure by the State, must ultimately come back to the 



