The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-02

IL question, and also well
aware of the admirable
work that Miss Mira Lloyd Dock has
been doing for years in this state in
cooperation with the states eminent
forestry commissioner, DR.. j. Il. Roth
rock, is greatly pleased to take note of
Governor Stones appointment of Miss
Dock on the state forestry reservation
commission. She takes the place of
Mr. Albert Lewis, who recently re-
signed. The other members of the
reservation commission arc DR.. Roth
rock. it's official head; Isaac Brown
secretary; John Fulton and A. c. Hop
kins.
Miss Dock, it is to be recalled, has
made profound and practical study of
the subject of forestry, both in the
United States and in Germany, which
country leads tho world in the conser-
walton, protection and wise economic
use of forests. As a lecturer on her
chosen subject she is we'll known
Scranton people being among those
who have learned to appreciate her
enthusiasm, her knowledge and ability
to impart ii.
Her appointment is one to be well
coined as fresh evidence of Governor
stones deep interest in the forestry
work and as tribute to both Miss
Docks own work and a recognition of
the help which the women of Penn
vania have given to the forestry move
ment. The appointment is the more
welcome because there is no shadow
of politics in tit has been won purely
by proved fitness for the place.
In connection with this. while speak
ing of the general advance of appreci-
alton of the Unreasonable importance
of forest conservation restoring, and
use, we are glad to give especial notice
to the amendment of the act of June
1. 1857, which act made provision
for annual payments to owners of land
that had been cleared of merchantab BILE
timber who should reforest it "within
one year after the said land had been
so cleared and maintain it, under cer-
tain specified conditions. The amend
ment extends the provision for such
payments from "onc year after to lat
any period" after The text of the
amendment reads;
"rhe owner or owners Of forest or
timber land in this commonwealth,
which has been cleared of merchant
able timber, who shall at any period
after the said land has been so cleared,
plant, and who shall maintain upon the
said land young forest or timber trees
in sound condition, in number at least
twelve hundred to the acre, shall on
making due proof thereof, be entitled
to receive annually from the commits
sioneIS of their respective counties
the sums of money mentioned in the
first section of this act: Provided,
That the first period of ten years shall
he counted from the time that said
land has been cleared of merchanta BILE
timber, and that after the said first
period of ten years the number of
trees upon the said land may be re-
duced as in the first section is pro-
vided,"
There stand also to the credit of the
last legislatures forestry work the
act approved on April IL, "to encour-
age the preservation Of forests by pro.
viding for a rebate of certain taxes
levied thereon; and the one, approved
May ., for the better protection of for
ests against fire by which the commits
sioner of forestry, on complaint made
of the failure or neglect of county COM
missioners to fulfill their duty in the
matter. is authorized to take all neces-
sary legal steps, employing detectives
and attorneys, for the conviction Of
| those guilty, "wilfully or otherwise"
of causing the burning of timber
lands. In such case the state will not
pay TO the county the money that Is
due for the payment of officers who
have neglected their duty.