FIFTH NATIONAI, CONSERVATION CONGRESS 386 



A careful analytical comparison of the administration of forest protection 

 work in several of the States now being best handled would also be of interest 

 and practical benefit to a large number of people. 



A definite plan for exchange of information between different agencies, 

 though perhaps not within the province of this committee and possibly already 

 covered in some report, is a matter of utmost importance. Protective agencies 

 have much to learn from each other. 



Data regarding, and if possible drawings, of all tools or implements used 

 in fighting fires should be gathered and carefully presented. No one person 

 has intimate knowledge of all such devices and often an implement use in 

 Pennsylvania might be well adapted to Washington or vice versa. 



The most complete data available on both sides of the so-called "light burn- 

 ing" theory might also be a subject for future presentation. 



Other matters not mentioned or treated in this report could with benefit 

 be later considered, such as planning permanent improvements, the building and 

 proper use of fire lines, and matters of this kind. 



However, probably the greatest good could be done along protective lines 

 by the conservation congress and with public service organization, if some prac- 

 tical scheme were devised for spurring to action the legislatures of those States 

 which now take little or no interest in the subject. The object would be to 

 secure better forest laws for these State. Possibly a more thorough presentation 

 of present conditions in such States and the recommendation of definite remedies, 

 would in a measure serve to stimulate the proper officials to action. 



Another matter well worthy of careful study is insurance for standing 

 timber. This subject has so far had scant consideration. The perfecting of 

 patrol systems and through these the lessening of risk, makes timber insurance 

 at this time a pertinent matter for discussion. 



APPENDIX 

 FIRE PROTECTION WORK BY STATES 



THE following incomplete information regarding what various States are 

 doing to prevent forest fires is presented as an indication of the different 

 methods or lack of methods employed in the work. In some cases 

 recommendations as to what should be done are made, but this was not possible in 

 all cases. 



The South, a large district where little work has been undertaken, is treated 

 as a region, followed by a brief statement of each State's activity. It is thought 

 that this presentation may be of value to backward States in determining along 

 what hues their forest work should be undertaken. 



Conditions in California are presented at some length for the reason that 

 it is the only one of the Pacific Coast States where little is being done by private 

 owners to protect their property. California being one of our most important 

 timber States should properly have adequate forest laws, but such is not the 

 case. Nor have the private timber owners in that State, with few exceptions, 

 taken the necessary steps to safeguard their own property. 



