Conservation Commission. 43 



RECOMMENDATIONS* 



The value of our two great forest preserves is so great, not only 

 commercially, but from the standpoint of protection to watersheds, 

 as a great playground, health resort, game refuge, and source of 

 wood material, in all of which the State is vitally interested, not 

 only from the standpoint of State policy, but also as owner of 

 several million dollars worth of property, that the 'State neces- 

 sarily commits itself to a policy of protecting these great resources. 

 In order to accomplish this work properly, a permanent annual 

 force, sufficiently large and of the most efficient men, should be 

 provided. The fire force consists (including observers on moun- 

 tain stations), during the summer season, of approximately 100 

 men, while only about one-fourth are retained during the 

 winter. The men thus dismissed in the fall find it difficult to 

 secure employment during the winter and it usually becomes neces- 

 sary to employ new and inexperienced men the coming year. The 

 loss of trained men means decreased efficiency and the training of 

 new men again, a waste of time and money. The great forest 

 preserve needs protection, not only from fire in summer, but from 

 trespass in winter; therefore, there is sufficient work to employ a 

 much larger force during the entire year. These men would also 

 be used in the enforcement of the top lopping law and surveying 

 State lands. The position of fire patrolman should be abolished 

 and that of forest ranger created. The latter should have all of the 

 powers and duties of the present fire patrolman and have full police 

 duties relative to protection of State lands. A permanent force of 

 about fifty men, employed during the entire year at a salary of 

 $720 per year, should be established. The title of fire superin- 

 tendent should be changed to district forest ranger. The present 

 official designated as special fire patrolman should be called fire 

 warden, thus preventing any complication. 



THE FOREST PRODUCT. 



In accordance with the provisions of the law, I submit herewith 

 statement showing " amount of lumber manufactured and wood 

 used for commercial purposes from timber grown in the State." 

 These figures are. for the calendar year 1910, as it is impossible, 



