The Sauk Centre herald., 1894-10-04
TO PROTECT FORESTS
Destructive Fires, and Means For
Their Prevention Discussed at q
st. Paul Conference.
THE SCHEMES SUGGESTED.
Some Valuable Pointers From the
Agricultural Department at
Washington.

ST. PAUL, Oct. 4.-The conference on
forest fires began Wedn esday morning
as the Commercial club. President
Footner stated the objects of the con-
ference to be, how to prevent loss Of
life and property by forest fires, to con-
sider the advisability of building reser-
voirs in timber country. and establish
ing such other means Of protection as
seemed advisable.
Secretary McGinnis read q very earn
est letter from B. F. Fernow, who is
chief of the forestry division in the
agricultural department. in Washing
ton, giving the following valuable
suggestions for preventing and fighting
timber fires:
State Fire Commissioner.
First-Appoint one state fire commits
eioner, who is to be the responsible
agent of the state for carrying the law
into effect and organizing the service,
and who is paid for his work in proper
tion to the value of his services.
Cooperation OF Sheriffs.
Second-Make all sheriffs responsible
FOR the putting ont of fires in their
county and for apprehending any in
cendiaries; give the sheriffs power to
swear in special fire wardens to act as
their deputies, with power to employ
posse, when necessary, to fight fires.
Watch Towers and Fire Patrols.
Third-Ereot watch towers in suit
able locations for the use of fire wardens
and, if possible, establish telegraphic
connections between them. Employ
additional special fire patrols in danger
Gus districts during the dangerous
months, July and August.
Make Lumbermen Burn Rubbish.
Fourth-Require all lumber operators
to burn their debris in early spring
May, lit can be done, because it is
being done successfully, cheaply and
willingly by some) and, if they do not
comply, have the fire warden do it for
them, charging the lumberman with
the expense.
Make Railroads More Careful.
Fifth-Require railroad companies,
who are responsible for a large share of
the fires, to use spark arresters and to
clean their ash pits with care, and
make them responsible under the law
for careless incendiarism and for dam
ages. They should also be required to
keep their right-of-way on both sides
cleared Of infammable material.
Farmers Can BE on the Lookout.
Sixth-Require Settlers and farmers
to give notice of their intention to burn
brush to the fire warden, and to obey
his instructions as to the time and man.
ner of doing it.
Pay Fire Wardens and Patrols.
Seventh-Pay the fire wardens and
patrols adequately from the state treas
ury and such a fire fund as may be col
lected from the parties most interested,
the lumbermen and the railroad com.
panies.
General Andrews Address.
The first address to the conference
was delivered by General Andrews of
st. Paul He said that New Hampshire,
Maine and New York had established
forestry commissions, whose business
required them to look closely after
forest fires, and to generally care for
timber lands.
America could and should adopta few
simple methods for caring for timber
lands, and perfected system of fire
prevention would grow out of expert
ence. Wisconsin, Minnesota and other
timber states should take hold promptly
and vigorously. Agitation should go
on and information be diffused until
state legislatures and finally congress
would take hold of the work.
p Plans For Preventing Fires.
A valuable paper was read by J. o.
Barrett of the Minnesota Forestry asso-
citation.
Mr.. Barrett explained the provisions
of proposed law that will come before
the next Minnesota legislature. 1t pro-
vides for state fire commissioners, re-
quires the cooperation of sheriffs and
supervisors, provides funds for fighting
fires and for indemnify to property own
ers for loss by fire, places due response
bility on railroad companies in prevent
ing fires, requires lumbermen
To Dispose of All Rubbish
every year, directs that campers or tour
lists must clear 20-foot circle before
starting fire, and put out every spark
on leaving, prohibits smoking pipes or
cigars in the woods during danger
periods, requires hunters to use non-
combustible wads when shooting, and
directs that meadows or slashings shall
not be burned over during the dry
seasons.
Violations of the law would be pun
ished by severe method.
MIR. Barrett delivered the follow sug-
gestions for protecting and increasing
forest property:
More reservoirs to economize surplus
water.
Greater inducements for tree cultiva-
ton ON prairies and along streams.
State and national laws for develop
ing and preserving forests.
Practical forestry introduced into ed
ucational institutions.
Botanist Mcmillan contributed some
valuable statistics bearing ON the sub
ject under consideration and five min
ute talks Were made by John Cooper Of
st. Cloud. e. s. Chittenden, G. s.
Cairns. Colonel J. II. Stevens, Colonel
e. II. Graves and others.
Killed by Horse.
WEST CoNCoRD, Mimi, Oct. A.
About 2 o'clock a. m. Phil McCarty of
> this village. while hitching up Frank