Special Report of ^Saperiirtendeiit of 



Forests. 



ALBANY, N. Y., December 6, 1899. 



To fl)e Fisheries, Crame and Forest Commission, Albany, N. *I. : 



GENTLEMEN. — In compliance with a request from your honorable Board I 

 respectfully submit here some suggestions as to an increase in the working force of 

 the Forestry Department in order to secure better results in the care and manage- 

 ment of the Preserve, and greater efficiency in the protection of our forest areas, 

 both public and private. 



First of all, because of its importance and necessity, I would respectfully renew 

 the recommendation which I made in a preliminary report of the Commission, trans- 

 mitted to the Legislature, January 20, 1899, which was as follows: 



" Although, in the management of the Forest Preserve the last year, the forest 

 fires have been less in number and in area than at any like period since the establish- 

 ment of the Forestry Department, I believe that the damage from this source can, 

 under proper arrangement, be still further minimized, and, perhaps, entirely pre- 

 vented. To this end a more compact and systematic organization of the corps of 

 firewardens is necessary. The various duties of the Superintendent of Forests will 

 not permit him to give the attention to this branch of the service which he would 

 like, and which the safety of the forest demands. He suggests the appointment of 

 an assistant who shall be designated as the supervisor of firewardens, or chief fire- 

 warden, and whose time and services shall be devoted exclusively to the proper 

 organization, supervision and direction of the firewardens, of whom ther^ are 187 in 

 the forest towns, not including the district wardens ; or over 700, including the lat- 

 ter. This official, in the course of his duties, would have the opportunity of visit- 

 ing the place where each fire occurred, and making a proper examination as to its 

 cause, extent and damage, and to institute whatever prosecution might be necessary 

 for a violation of the Fire Law. He should see that in each case the warden fills out 

 his blank report, and that it states all the facts connected with the fire. He should 

 scrutinize the bill of each warden for the services of the posse ordered out, and see 

 that the number of men charged for and other items are correct. He should have 



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