FOBESTKY COMMISSIONS — NEW YORK. 173 



It was eleven years later, in 1883, that this recommendation was acted upon, when the State 

 through the nonpayment of taxes by the owners had become possessed of 600,000 acres. 



In 1884 the comptroller was authorized to employ " such experts as he may deem necessary 

 to investigate and report a system of forest preservation." The report of a commission of four 

 members was made^in 1885, but the legislation proposed was antagonized by the lumbering 

 interests. The legislature finally passed a compromise bill entitled "An act establishing a forest 

 commission, and to define its powers, and for the preservation of forests." 



This legislation, afterward amended, is the most comprehensive of that of any State in the 

 Union. 



The original forest commission, appointed under the act of May 15, 1885, was superseded in 

 1895 by the commission of fisheries, game, and forests, under the law of April 25, 1805. This 

 law is a comprehensive measure in which allied interests are brought under the control of a single 

 board. Under this law the commission consists of five members appointed by the governor with 

 consent of the senate, the term of office being five years. The president, who is designated as 

 such by the governor, receives a salary of $5,000 per year and traveling expenses, and devotes all 

 his time to the work of his oifice. The remaining four commissioners each receive $1,000 per year 

 and traveling expenses. The board holds at least four meetings on designated days each year. 

 It has a secretary at $2,000 per year, and necessary clerical force. The duties of the board are to 

 propagate and distribute food, fish, and game; to enforce all laws for the protection of fish and 

 game, and for the protection and preservation of the forest reserve. It has full control of the 

 Adirondack Park and forest reserve, and is authorized to make rules for its care and safety. 



The commission appoints thirty-five "fish and game protectors and foresters" (hereafter called 

 foresters), one of whom is to be known as chief, and two others as his assistants, the chief to have 

 direction and control of the entire force. The foresters give bonds for the proper discharge of 

 their duty. The chief forester receives $2,000 per year and traveling expenses; the assistant 

 foresters $1,200 each; and the remaining foresters $500 each: all have an extra allowance for 

 traveling expenses and each of them receives one-half of all fines collected in actions brought 

 upon information furnished by them. It is their duty to enforce all laws and regulations of 

 the commission for the protection of fish and game and for the protection and preservation 

 of the forest reserve and all rules and regulations for the care of the Adirondack Park. They 

 have full power to execute all warrants and search warrants and to serve subpoenas. 



Each forester keeps a record of his official acts and reports a summary of it, with important 

 details, monthly to his chief. The monthly payment of salary is contingent upon the receipt 

 of this report. The chief forester reports to the commission all cases of neglect of duty or 

 negligence on the part of the foresters, and he also makes a monthly report of the operations 

 of his department. 



The commission may, in its discretion, appoint or remove special foresters recommended by 

 any board of supervisors, but such special foresters receive no compensation from the State. All 

 peace officers have the same powers as foresters in the enforcement of the fisheries, game, and 

 forest law. 



Article XII, chapter 395, Laws of 1895, describes the forest preserve (sec. 270), and defines 

 the powers and duties of th'e commission (sec. 271), whose duty it is to (1) have the care, custody, 

 control, and superintendence of the forest preserve; (2) maintain, protect, and promote the 

 growth of the forests in the preserve; (3) have charge of the public interests of the State in 

 regard to forestry and tree planting, and especially with reference to forest fires in every part 

 of the State; (4) possess all the powers relating to the preserve which were vested in the 

 commissioners of the land office and in the comptroller on May 15, 1885; (5) prescribe rules and 

 regulations affecting the whole or any part of the preserve for its use, care, and administration, 

 and alter or amend the same; but neither such rules or regulations nor anything contained in 

 this article shall prevent or operate to prevent the free use of any road, stream, or water as the 

 same may have been heretofore used, or as may be reasonably required in the prosecution of any 

 lawful business; (6) take measures for the awakening of an interest in forestry in the schools and 

 the imparting of elementary instruction on such subject therein, and issue tracts and circulars for 

 the care of private woodlands, etc.; (7) print and post rules for the prevention and suppression of 

 forest fires. 



