168 Third Annual Eepoet of the 



section dealing with the disposal of slash left after logging opera- 

 tions. After the fires of 1908, the Forest, Fish and Game Com- 

 missioner held a conference with the leading lumbermen of the 

 State for the purpose of devising some means of reducing the 

 fire hazard on cut-over lands. Most of the lumbermen favored 

 the idea of lopping the tops of trees which were felled in lumber- 

 ing operations. The law, as finally drafted, provided that all 

 the limbs and branches of any coniferous trees cut within the 

 Forest Preserve, unless the trees were designed for use with the 

 branches on them, should be cut off or lopped from the tree at the 

 time of cutting. A penalty was provided of $25 for each offense, 

 plus $2 for each tree-top which should not be looped in compli- 

 ance with the law. 



~No material changes ivere made in the Forest, Fish and Game 

 Law in either 1910 or 1911. In the summer of 1911, however, 

 the Forest, Fish and Game Commission was consolidated with 

 the State Water Supply Commission. The present Conservation 

 •Commission was created, combining the duties of the two former 

 commissions. One of the first tasks undertaken by the new Com- 

 mission was the redrafting of the Forest, Fish and Game law, 

 in the Conservation Law of 1912. The laws relating to the fire 

 protective system were not materially altered. 



The title of Superintendent of Fires was changed to "District 

 Forest Ranger;" that of Fire Patrolman to "Forest Ranger;" 

 that of Special Patrolman to "Fire Warden." 



In order to facilitate prompt payment of fire bills in cases of 

 emergency, the auditor of fire accounts was empowered to draw 

 on the comptroller for advances to meet the expenses of fighting 

 fires. 



Strict regulations, as to precautions to be taken by persons 

 building fires for cooking, warmth or insect smudges on forest 

 land in the Forest Preserve, were embodied in the new draft of 

 the law. 



The application of the law requiring the lopping of tops was 

 restricted to the area included within the Fire Towns. 



The law providing for the cleaning of rights of way and the 

 equipment of locomotives with suitable protective devices, was 

 made state-wide in its application, instead of being restricted to 



