FIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 369 



So far as known, the first co-operative patrol association was formed in 

 Idaho in 1906. This system worked so well for private owners and lent itself 

 so readily to co-operation with the Federal Government and States that soon 

 similar steps were taken in most of the heavily timbered sections. During all of 

 this time the Federal Government had been perfecting its system of protection 

 as fast as funds would permit. 



Through educational work, a lively interest has been aroused during the 

 past five years in securing good State forest laws. Many States have inde- 

 pendently taken up the purchase of lands for use as State forests and a number 

 of State institutions have established forest schools. 



The development along forest protection lines has been remarkable in its 

 rapidity. 



The main problem now in most sections is not to convert people to the need 

 for protection but to work out and perfect the best means of doing the work, 

 and to equitably divide the responsibility for carrying it on as between the State, 

 Federal Government and private owners. In some States this is adjusting itself 

 well and with little friction. In others the reverse is the case. 



But with broad-minded men representing each agency there should be no 

 question as to the ultimate outcome since all are striving for the same end. 



INFLUENCE OF STATE ASSISTANCE IN FOREST PROTECTION 



THE national forests are being protected by the Federal Government under 

 a definite well-outlined policy, while some of the States are assuming the 

 entire responsibility of patrolling and otherwise protecting both private 

 and State timber. While this is entirely proper, in many of the most heavily 

 timbered States, such action will not come for many years, if at all, and conse- 

 quently the private owner must furnish most of the funds for patrol and fire 

 fighting, leaving to the State the large task of law enforcement and help along 

 other lines, where possible. In many ways such an arrangement gives the best 

 kind of results, provided there is proper harmony between the State and the 

 private owners. 



In other States the only effort at protection is being made by property 

 owners. In the most heavily timbered States protection, aside from that carried 

 on by the Federal Government, is a matter for joint action by State and private 

 owners. 



Where forest laws are adequate and the State maintains machinery for their 

 enforcement, protection is far better than where it is left entirely to land 

 owners. The reasons for this are obvious. Some owners are careless and, with 

 no laws compelling them to be otherwise, they constitute a hindrance rather than 

 a help to those who desire to protect their property. No small part of good fire 

 protection depends upon rigid enforcement of the law, and, though often tried, 

 it has been as often proven that little headway is made where volunteer forces 

 are responsible for carrying out the provisions of the law. 



Again, it is a proven fact that a small expenditure on the part of the State 

 will stimulate activity by private owners. In one heavily timbered State, where 



