340 
same year an act was passed which provided ‘‘ for recovery of 
damages to trees along public highways, by telegraph, telephone 
and electric light companies.’’ This, however, can hardly be said 
to have affirmed any new principle. At most, it rendered the 
general law a little more specific. 
December 12, 1892, Prof. J. T. Rothrock was engaged to devote 
his whole time to the interests of the Association. 
In January, 1893, the Hon. D. Smith Talbot, of Chester county, 
introduced a measure for the Pennsylvania Forestry Association into 
the Legislature. ‘‘It was entitled An Act Relative toa Forestry Com- 
mission and Providing for the Expenses Thereof.’’ The measureas 
it finally passed, is inserted here in full, as it enjoys the distinction 
of being the first act passed which recognized that forests were of 
enough importance to the State to be looked after, even if the over- 
sight must be paid for. It is clearly then a boundary line between 
old and new methods.* 
SECTION I. Be zt enacted, etc., That the Governor be authorized to appoint two 
persons as a Commission, one of whom is to be a competent engineer, one a 
botanist, practically acquainted with the forest trees of the Commonwealth, whose 
duty it shall be to examine and report upon the conditions of the slopes and sum- 
mits of the important watersheds of the State, for the purpose of determining how 
far the presence or absence of the forest cover may be influential in producing 
high and low water stages in the various river basins; and to report how much 
timber remains standing of such kinds as have special commercial value, how 
much there is of each kind; as well, also, as to indicate the part or parts of the 
State where each grows naturally, and what measures, if any, are being taken to 
secure a supply of timber for the future. It shall, further, be the duty of said 
Commission to suggest such measures in this connection as have been found of 
practical service elsewhere in maintaining a proper timber supply, and to ascertain, 
as nearly as is practicable, what proportion of the State, not now recognized as 
mineral land, is unfit for remunerative agriculture, and could with advantage be 
devoted to the growth of trees. 
Sec. 2, The said Commission shall also ascertain what wild lands, if any, now 
belong to the Commonwealth ; their extent, character and location, and report the 
same, together with a statement of what part, or parts of such lands would be 
suitable for a State Forest Reserve; and further, should the lands belonging to 
the Commonwealth be insufficient for such purpose, then to ascertain and report 
what other suitable lands there may be within the State, their extent, character 
*This Act was approved by Governor Pattison on the 23d day of May; and on June 8, 
he further complied with its provisions by appointing Dr. J. T. Rothrock the botanist 
member and Col. A. Harvey Tyson the engineer member of the Commission. The statis- 
tician appointed under the Act was Mr. Frysinger Evans. Col. Tyson was soon suc- 
ceeded by Mr. William F. Shunk; and Mr. Eyans by Mr. Percy McClellan. 
