TAX LANDS AND FORESTRY. 39 



fire problem is adequately coped with, there can be no forestry having 

 possibilities commensurate with the certain needs of the next and suc- 

 ceeding generations. The fire problem cannot be successfully handled 

 without adequate appropriations. The spending of this money wisely 

 and economically requires expert knowledge and experience in those who 

 have the control and management of the large number of men neces- 

 sary; and this result, it is believed cannot be confidently expected with- 

 out a concentration of forces and responsibility in those who are free 

 from all political alliances and entanglements. In our judgment all 

 efforts should, after the setting apart of reserves, be subordinated to the 

 eradication of the fire evil. Planting and other artificial methods of 

 reforestation can be allowed to wait, if it is necessary to curtail ex- 

 penses. The fire evil is the last thing on which retrenchment of neces- 

 sary expenditure should be practiced. Economy may be promoted by 

 concentration of forces in the manner indicated; but when as efScient 

 an equipment and service as possible is organized, suflBcient money should 

 be placed at its disposal to do the work required ; and full responsibility 

 for the manner and amount of expenditure should be placed with the 

 administrative ofiQcer at the head of this service. 



In conclusion the essential features of the commission's recommenda- 

 tions are as follows : 



1. The taking over as State forest reserves of such of the forfeited 

 tax land as is so, grouped as to be available for the purpose. 



2. To open to entry for small private timber reserves such of the 

 balance of the forfeited tax land as is desired for the purpose by actual 

 bona fide residents of the township. 



3. Open to sale all of the forfeited tax land not taken into State 

 reserves at a minimum price of |5.00 an acre plus the value of the forest 

 products on the land. Appraisals to be made only of land applied for 

 and at the expense of applicant and to be kept of record and published 

 in the county in which the land is located. 



4. To make provision for adequate fire protection by furnishing suf- 

 ficient appropriations and providing an eflflcient non-political force of 

 men, under a single person, on whom will finally rest all responsibility 

 for efficient service. 



5. This will make it possible for nature to reforest naturally a very 

 large part of the cut-over lands of the north, and for large results, com- 

 mensurate with the State's needs, reliance is placed by the Commission 

 upon this natural capacity to reforest rather than upon expensive arti- 

 ficial planting. 



6. Concentration of the forces and rural police affairs of the State 

 under a single commission with a single executive ofiScer, the State For- 

 est Warden, having sole active charge of and final responsibility for 

 the proper execution of fire laws, forest laws, game laws, fish laws, 

 trespass laws and, in general, all matters of rural police. 



7. Elimination of all features of the present laws which have led to 

 the injurious work of the timber skinner and to the building up of an 

 extensive class of speculators at State expense. 



8. Constitutional amendments, to enable the legislature to adopt a 

 more rational system of taxation of forest growth. 



The legislation recommended for immediate adoption in order to give 



