The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-26
DR.. RothrOck's Forestry Bill.


Below is n complete synopsis of the
forestry bill prepared for this legislature
by Professor j. r. Rothrock, secretary of
the forestry commission: 1t shall be the
duty of the forestry commission to re-
port to the Legislature at each session
through the state board of agriculture
an account of forest fires, their causes.
values destroyed, methods used and rec
ommendcd for their eXtinguishment, cost
of work, etc. Placards are to be distrb-
uted throughout forest sections giving a
summary of this act and warning rail-
road and lumber men. hunters, tourists
and others of its penalties. The cOmmis-
sion is instructed at the public expense to
diffuse knowledge concerning forestry in
the shape of public lectures and ESSAYS
on the subject; also to prepare a code of
rules and regulations for the guidance of
nrewardcns, to appoint with the consent
of the governor iirewardens in remote
and thinly peopled forest sections whore
there is danger of fire and the necessity
of prompt action. The compensation is
to be fixed by the commission. The main
feature of the bill makes the township
supervisors of roads firewardens in their
districts. In cases of emergency they
may serve as such beyond the township
limits. 1t will be their duty to take
charge of fires, assist other wardens AMI
call on people to help put out fires, to be
on the ground when notified by any per-
son intending to burn brush or other
combustible material close to forests, and
to supervise or prevent 1t, if necessary;
to arrest on sight people violating any of
the provisions of the act concerning for
est hre5 20 inquire into the cause of fires
and hold the people responsible TO whom
it can ba traced: to open fire lanes not
less than two rods wide and where au-
thoriZed by the forestry commission as
barriers against fire, providing such lanes
need not be graded as public highways
nor shall they be opened without the
written consent of the land owners. Pco-
pie who refuse to help put out a fire when
called upon may be fined s. for each Of
fense, unless they have u good excuse.
1t shall he the duty of justices of the
peace residing nearest to scene of forest
fires to inquire into the causes. If they
are due to the negligence of persons or
corporations, warrants must be issued at
once for their arrest as in other cases of
misdemeanor. Those who assist in put
ting out fires shall be paid $3.50 per day.
People intending to burn brush must
notify the warden. They can't proceed
without his written consent. Hunters
are not permitted to use any other than
incombustlble wads for firearms. 1t is
Illegal to carry torch or brand danger
ously near or through forest land that Is
liable to catch fire. Persons who remove
warning placardS are subject TO a fine of
$25 No fines shall be less than s., half
going to the nformer and the balance 10
the supervisors for the use of the town
ships. If people fined are unable or re-
fuse to pay, they may be placed in Jail
one day for every dollar of the fine and
costs. Supervisors will be paid 81 per
day for every day worked in putting out
forest fires, or experimenting brush fires
the townships where the fires occur pay
ing the bill, half of which the state will
refund. The prothonotaries are ordered
fifteen days after an election to forward a
list of the township supervisors to the
forestry commission.