PlFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 265 



actual protection effort is accompanied by systematic publicity work, of a kind to 

 change unfavorable to favorable sentiment towards fire prevention. 



Every timber State has an unquestioned duty to protect the forests. In none 

 of them are appropriations for this purpose adequate. 



While nearly all States have at least some forest laws, many still provide for 

 nothing but fighting fires after they become started, and some have no provision 

 whatever for expenditure of funds to protect the forests. 



Forest protection through voluntary warden service has in every instance 

 proven a failure. The multiplication of duties of State officials, such as the pro- 

 vision that game wardens or fish wardens also act as fire wardens, has likewise 

 been far from successful, though often tried out. 



To secure the best results members of State Boards of Forestry as well as 

 State Foresters and wardens must be free from political interference. 



Publicity work in connection with patrol of timber lands is essential to the 

 highest degree of success. Fire patrol associations have used this means of 

 appealing to the public to a greater degree and more successfully than other 

 agencies. 



Experience of the past five years has proven that prevention of fires is far 

 better and more successful than the mere fighting of them after once started. To 

 successfully prevent small fires from becoming large ones, thousands of miles 

 of telephone line and trails have been built, lookout points equipped, and instru- 

 ments such as heliographs and range finders brought into use. 



The plan of co-operative patrol in sections where the State or Federal Gov- 

 ernment does not take full responsibility for protection has been found far 

 superior to individual effort. Any successful forest protective organization 

 should consist of a detection or fire location force, a patrol force, and a force to 

 apprehend and convict offenders against the law. Strict law enforcement will 

 go far to prevent carelessness, which is the cause of a large percentage of all 

 forest fires. 



Railroads still continue to be the greatest single source of forest fires. The 

 past six or seven years has, however, seen a change on their part from one of 

 indifference to the keenest interest in assisting to prevent fires. The more general 

 use of oil as fuel has likewise greatly reduced the number of railroad fires. 



The so-called "light burnir.g" theory advocated by certain timber owners in 

 California and adjoining States is especially to be condemned. It is not only 

 impractical from a financial standpoint, but causes destruction of young timber 

 and makes for carelessness with fire on the part of the public. 



With present protective machinery perfected, it is believed that fire damage 

 during ordinary years can be practically eliminated, and that in extraordinary 

 years it can be kept down to a small percentage of the board foot stand of a 

 locality. With this reasonably well assured, it is felt that insurance on standing 

 timber can be safely offered. 



Thorough co-operation in protection work between the Federal Government, 

 states, and private owners is believed essential to success, and to this end the 

 continuance of the Week's Law appropriation is urged. This financial assistance 



