Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1899-04-08
NUMBER s.
New Fire Guard Law
HOUSE BILL No. 420.

AN ACT Relating to fire guards in
counties, in Kansas, having popu--
latiOn of less than five thousand.
Section 1. The Board of Commits
SiOnerS OF highways in each township
in counties, in Kansas, having pop
ulatiOn of less than five thousand are
authorized to establish and maintain
hre guards in their respective town
ships for the purpose of preventing
the spread and incursion of prairie
fires therein, when ever a petition
! signed by majority of the qualified
electors of their respective townships
shall be presented to them requesting
them to establish fire guards; and
they shall alter, change or annul any
fire guards so established when re-
queSted to do so by petition signed
by majority of the qualified electors
OF their respective townships.
Sec. z. The flre guards, when prac-
ticable shall be made upon the high
ways along such section lines as may
be considered best; and shall consist
of two plowed strips six feet wide,
along the sides of the public high
ways, but upon the same with the
vegetation between such plowed
strips burned off during the fall of
the year If deep'ed advisable; provid-
ed however that fire guards NAV be
located upon any other land when
ever the consent of the owner or own
CIS UIcIcO1 Ildy Dc OOUdln6Q WIGnOuG
any compensation.
Sec. 3. The Board of Commission
ers of highways of any two townships
may arrange to jointly establish and
mai aintain fire guard along the
boundary line between two such town
ships.
Sec. 4. In addition to the duties
already imposed upon them by law,
the road overSeerS in each township
where this act shall apply. shall, be-
tween the first day of May and the
first day of October of each year, cause
to be plowed the two strips of land as
set forth in section of this act upon
all fire guards established and located
within their respective road districts,
and shall cause to be plOwed one strip
on all fire guards located upon the
line which divides their district from
some other road district and thereaf-
ter during the summer, when so di-
rected by the Board of Commissioners
of highways of their townships, shall
cause said strips of land TO be culti-
waited or replowed, SO as to practically
keep such strips free and clear of all
vegetation; and during the fall of the
year, when so directed by said board
shall burn off the grass and vegetat tion
between such plowed strips.
Q Sec. D. The road OverSeer in each
township where this act shall apply
may require each person subject to
pei loI III OWO ud}S ldDOT upon Tile DuD-
lie highway Generally known as poll
tax. to perform such labor upon the
fire guards, and two days labor SO per
formed shall be in full satisfaction of
such persons poll tax for that year
Sec. 6. Under the direction of the
Board of Commissioners of highways,
the road overseer may employ such
additional help as may be required in
order to make and maintain fire
guards as herein provided, and shall
keep in book, to be provided by said
Board. a full and complete list of all
persons doing work upon fire guards.
particularly the name of each person,
the number of days he worked and
the date when and the place where
the work was performed; and shall
make an abstract thereof, certified
under oath, and shall file the same
with the township clerk
Sec I. At the regular meeting OF
the township auditing board thereaf-
ter, if the statements of the road
overseers are found to be true, the
Board shall audit the same, and allow
each person who has performed such
labor pay therefor at the rate of not
to exceed one dollar and fifty cents
per day for each person, and three
dollars per day for each person and
team, and shall draw warrants there
for upon the township treasurer to he
paid out of the general funds of such
township