178 Annual Report of the Conservation Commission 



agricultural lands. The woodlands outside the fire towns need 

 and deserve fire protection as much as do those inside the 

 preserve. Other States east, south and west of New York, have 

 established forest fire protective systems which are statewide, and 

 which cover regions where the fire hazard is certainly no greater 

 than it is in the woodlands of New York outside of the fire towns. 

 What is needed is the enactment of wise legislation which will 

 enable the Conservation Commission to establish and control a 

 system of fire protection throughout the State. The project is 

 entirely feasible and may be conducted at a nominal cost to the 

 State. 



Respectfully submitted, 



WILLIAM G. HOWARD, 



Assistant Superintendent Stats Forests. 



December 1, 1913. 



