32 THE USE BOOK. 



not reasonably be required to purchase, and who have not 

 on their own lands or claims, or on lands controlled by 

 them, a sufficient or practicably accessible supply of tim- 

 ber or stone for the purposes named in the law. It may 

 also be granted to school and road districts, churches, or 

 cooperative organizations of settlers desiring to construct 

 roads, ditches, reservoirs, or similar improvements for 

 mutual or public benefit. Free use of material to be used 

 in any business will be refused, as, for example, to saw- 

 mill proprietors, owners of large establishments or com- 

 mercial enterprises, and companies and corporations. 

 The free-use privilege will not be given to any trespasser. 



AVhether an applicant is entitled to free use must be decided by 

 the forest officer who receives the application. In all cases not 

 clearly covered by the letter of the regulations he should be guided 

 by their spirit, especially as expressed by the term "those who 

 may not reasonably be required to purchase," and by the dis- 

 tinction between personal and commercial use. A member of a 

 corporation is not necessarily debarred from free use of fuel for his 

 own home, although his ability to secure it from another source 

 should be considered if the reserve supply is limited and in de- 

 mand by more needy applicants. Residents of towns and villages 

 engaged in business or earning a livelihood are reasonably ex- 

 pected to purchase fuel and building material for town dwellings 

 and other home structures. A settler may receive a liberal allow- 

 ance for his own use, but he is not entitled to free material for sale 

 or profit. There is no more reason for giving a hotel keeper or mer- 

 chant timber without charge solely to build or warm his hotel or 

 store than for giving him a stock of goods, yet it need not be re- 

 fused the proprietor of a small establishment when it will be used 

 chiefly by himself and his family. Prospectors should be assisted 

 to develop their properties, but owners of mines, who employ 

 men on wages, should be required to buy. Free timber for use on 

 alleged fraudulent claims may be granted for fuel only, pending 

 the final determination of title to the claims- 



