60 Third Annual Report of the 



a survey, determined the correct boundaries and stopped the opera- 

 tion before any timber was removed. The operators, not having 

 removed any of the logs cut, suffered a large loss on account of 

 the money which they had paid for cutting the timber and the 

 fine of $3,000. If an exception is made of the last named trespass, 

 together with those in which the State's title is questioned, the 

 damage is practically nil. This report is very creditable in face 

 of returns of a few years ago when the computed value of the 

 material was from $20,000 to $40,000 per annum. 



Open Camps 



The Forest Preserve, at the present time, is a great playground 

 for the people. It has been the policy of this Commission to en- 

 courage its use for such purposes, but building of structures has 

 been prohibited, only tents with board floors being permitted. A 

 large number of people go into the woods for seclusion, quietude 

 and to get away from the ordinary lines of travel, and it has not 

 always been convenient or possible for them to pack tents which 

 they might require for camping purposes. The cost of packing 

 such outfits is expensive and tends to restrict the legitimate use 

 of the forest area. Application was made to this Commission for 

 permission to erect upon State land in the Forest Preserve open 

 camps under such rules, regulations and restrictions as the Com- 

 mission might impose. The matter deserved careful consideration, 

 and received it. It was determined that such camps would tend 

 to increase the usefulness of the Preserve, and that such places 

 would also be useful for men who might be needed to fight forest 

 fires. An open camp is one in which but three sides are enclosed, 

 therefore, it cannot be locked, or other steps taken which would 

 lead to exclusion. Believing that the interests of the people would 

 be better served by having a reasonable number of such buildings 

 erected in proper places suitably distributed, the Commission 

 formulated and adopted the following rules in regard to open 

 camps : 



Resolved, That the following rules and regulations be and the 

 same hereby are adopted in relation to the construction and use 

 of trails and open camps upon State land : 



