Conservation Commission 97 



startling, but the value of the addition of such a large force of 

 " observers " is undoubtedly considerable. Eleven fires were re- 

 ported by the rural carriers during the year. 



Recommendations 



An earnest endeavor has been made to place the fire protective 

 work under a budget system. At the beginning of the season the 

 funds which were available were apportioned for compensation 

 of observers and rangers, traveling expenses, permanent improve- 

 ments and expense of extinguishing fires. The latter varies from 

 year to year and, therefore, it cannot be accurately determined. 

 The present system of appropriations for fire protection provides 

 a lump sum for this work. A careful analysis of the situation in- 

 dicates that the fire force should be employed seven months, ap- 

 proximately April 10th to November 10th and, furthermore, that 

 in order to insure sufficient protection one hundred rangers are 

 necessary. The customary compensation for this week is $60 per 

 month ; the traveling expenses of a ranger, during the fire season, 

 are approximately $30 per month, therefore, the total expense per 

 month per man is $90, or $9,000 for the entire force, and if em- 

 ployed for the seven months, it would require $63,000 for salaries 

 and expenses. In order to enforce the provisions of the top 

 lopping law, do necessary work in maintaining our telephone 

 system, and protect the State land from trespass, it is necessary 

 to employ thirty rangers during the remaining five months. The 

 traveling expenses for this period will approximate $40 per man, 

 therefore, the expense per month per man would be approximately 

 $100, or for the winter force $3,000 per month, and for the five 

 months period $15,000. The expense of the necessary ranger 

 force is therefore $78,000. 



Observers are usually paid $60 per month, with an allowance 

 of $12 for provisions, providing they board themselves on the 

 station, making a cost of $72 per month. This would mean a 

 charge of $4,320 per month, and for the seven month's' period 

 $30,240. The total appropriation for the compensation and ex- 

 penses above mentioned aggregate $108,240. Additional furds 

 are necessary in order to maintain the telephone system, observa- 



