178 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



principles, was in the winter of 1909 established. With the old system 

 discarded and a new one to be manned and organized, especial responsi- 

 bility rested on this office and on the men connected with it. It was the 

 work to which all the energy of the force connected with this office was felt 

 to be due during the fire season. The principle of the system, that the 

 greater part of the expense should be borne by the State, is not the one 

 that characterizes most recent legislation on this matter, but it is probably 

 justified in this case by the circumstances, particularly by the large acreage 

 of State land to be protected. State control, however, brings with it numer- 

 ous advantages. It simplifies management, centralizes it and, in the long 

 run, should tend probably to greater efficiency. A system that is knit 

 together and capable of cooperation and of massing is so obtained. 



On the outline of organization provided by law, the best judgment to 

 be had had been brought to bear. Regular rangers or patrolmen are the 

 backbone of the system ; men whose time through the fire season is devoted 

 to the prevention and the extinguishing of fires; and with these go special 

 patrolmen, so-called, who are to go on duty only if fire arises in their immedi- 

 ate region. Three superintendents of districts in the Adirondacks and 

 one in the Catskills, men who should have a share in choosing the force 

 under them, who should organize and district it, and by personal activity 

 and direction keep the force up to high efficiency, seemed an excellent 

 means of organization and control. Town supervisors also, as under the 

 general town law, were retained as an integral part of the system. 



These arrangements are in line with the teachings of experience in 

 this State and with effective fire organization as it has been developed 

 elsewhere. With them, as the work was planned at the start, went along 

 a system of observation stations on mountains, connected with the patrol- 

 men by telephone, a system employed to some extent in the government 

 service, but especially recommended for its proved efficiency in the woods 

 of Maine. 



It may be said at once that the experience of the season seems to justify 

 these arrangements. If things have not worked entirely satisfactorily, 

 that is in part due to the newness of the system and in part to other causes, 

 which can in large measure be remedied. It seems to be clear to all, those 

 outside and inside the system alike, that the right principle of organization 



