400 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



The proceeding covered a period of six months, and the Public Service 

 Commission gave to the subject a most thorough investigation and con- 

 sideration — its final decision being the substantial adoption of the remedy 

 proposed by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission, that of oil burning 

 operation, and providing for complete installation of such operation by 

 April 15, 1 9 10, upon the Mohawk & Malone, Carthage & Adirondack, and 

 New York & Ottawa branches of the New York Central system; the 

 Chateaugay branch of the Delaware & Hudson Company, and upon the 

 Cranberry Lake railroad. 



The result of this proceeding was one of great importance and most 

 beneficial to the interests which this Commission is charged with having 

 custody, control and supervision, and to the great interests of forest 

 preservation in this State. 



Experience has shown that by far the greatest menace to forest preserva- 

 tion is that of fire, the prolific source of which was shown to be the railroads 

 operated through the forest counties. Measures had been repeatedly 

 suggested, laws had been enacted and remedies proposed, all in the hope 

 of eradicating the evil of railroad fires, but the experience of 1908 showed 

 that these remedies and measures had been unavailing. 



The damage and destruction done by fire not only includes the com- 

 mercial value of the timber destroyed, but it comprehends the destruction 

 of the forest floor which renders the soil unproductive for forest growth for 

 centuries and completely ruins and destroys all its power to retain and 

 store moisture. 



By this proceeding an order has been secured requiring methods of 

 operation of the railroads in the Adirondacks by which the forests and the 

 interests dependent upon them may be adequately and efficaciously pro- 

 tected from destruction bv fire from railroad sources. 



Saranac River Reservoir Litigation 



In 1906 and 1907 the Paul Smith Electric Light and Power and Rail- 

 road Company constructed upon the Saranac river at Union Falls, Clinton 

 county, and at Franklin Falls, Franklin county, two dams of concrete and 



