114 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Another great trouble with the law is that it often prevents the securing 

 of competent men for firewardens. Under the present statute wardens are 

 paid only while actually employed, and in ordinary years this means a very 

 small remuneration. In order to secure good, desirable, efficient men they 

 must be paid. The kind of man needed has the ability and energy to make 

 money in some occupation and he cannot afford to give his services or neglect 

 his business at times for a few days' work. There are cases where men are 

 doing such services because of their interests in the forests, but there is no 

 good reason why a capable firewarden should not be paid as generously as 

 any State officer. When our firewarden service is on a paid basis we will 

 have a force which will be able to cope with any conditions. 



Measures should be taken also to locate watch towers on elevations so 

 situated as to embrace a view over large forest sections. These towers or 

 " lookouts " should be in charge of a man familiar with the region, supplied 

 with telescope, compass and maps, and in communication by telephone with 

 firewardens in order that fires can be located and help despatched at the 

 earliest possible moment. It should always be borne in mind that the time 

 to fight a fire is when it is small, the smaller the better, before it gains head- 

 way or causes destruction, and hence every means should be used to save 

 time in this respect. 



I submit herewith a letter received from the Hon. E. E. Ring, Forest 

 Commissioner of Maine, in reply to one written asking him for informa- 

 tion in regard to the use and value of lookout fire stations in his State. 



State of Maine 

 Office of 

 Land Agent and Forest Commissioner 

 Edgar E. Ring, 



Land Agent and Forest Commissioner 



Augusta, Jan. 26th, 1909 

 Mr. C. R. Pettis, 



State Forester, 



Albany, N. Y.: 

 Dear Sir. — Replying to your favor of the 21st inst. will say, that we have in 

 this State nine lookout stations located on high points of land, in which men are sta- 

 tioned during the summer season to watch for forest fires. 



They are a great success and we expect to establish a number more the coming 



