The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-05-04
PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS.

PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS.
in which the fire occurred. and shall
be payable in full by the County Com
missioners of such county upon the
receipt of an itemized account with
vouchers approved by the state Fores-
ter.
Section s And be it enacted, That
the Board of County Commissioners OF
tie several counties of this State are
hereby authorized to levy and appro-
pirate money for purposes of forest
protection. improvement and mana ge-
ment; and said boards shall have re-
course under an action at law. for debt
against any land owner. individual or
corporation on whose account they
shall have been obliged to pay out mon
ey for lighting fire for the amount
which they have expended for such
purpose
Section q And be it enacted. That
the State Forester shall furnish notices
printed in large letters upon cloth cali
ing attention to the dangers of forest
fires and to forest fires and trespass
laws and their penalties. such notices
shall be distributed by the State Fores-
ter or Forest Wardens and posted by
them in conspicuous places upon state
Forest Reserves. and along the high
ways in forest-covered country
Section 10. Be it enacted. That every
individual or corporation that care
lcssly, negligeutly or wtlfully, mali
ciously. or with intent. sets on fire or
causes. or procures to be set on fire
any woods. brush. grass. grain or stub
BILE on lands not their own, shall be
guilty of a mi sdemeanor. and upon con-
vction be punishable by fine of not
less than S25 or more than $1,000, or
imprisonment for not less than thirty
days or more than one year, or both
such fine and Imprisonment.
Section II. And be IL enacted, That
1t shall be unlawful for any person or
corporation as land owner to set or
procure another 10 set fire to any
woods, brush. logs. leaves. grass or
clearing upon their own land, unless
they have previously taken all possible
care and preCautiOn against the spread
of such fire to other lands not their
own. by previously having cut and piled
the same, or carefully cleared around
the land which is to he burned, so
as TO prevent the spread of such fire
The setting of fire contrary to the pro-
visions of this section. or allowing it
to escape to the injury of adjoining
lands, shall be prima facie proof of
wilfulness or neglect, and the land
owner from whose land the fire OriEi-
mated shall be liable in a civil action
for damages for the injury resulting
from such fire. and also for the cost
of lighting and eXinguishing the same
Section II. And be ii enacted. That
logging and railroad locomotives.
donkey or threshing engines. and other
engines and boilers, operated in
through or near forest or brush which
do not burn oil as fuel. shall be pro-
Nided with appliances to prevent the
escape of fire and sparks from the
smoke-stack thereof and with devices
to prevent the escape of fire from ash
pans and fire boxes Failure to com
ply with these requirements shall be a
misdemeanor punishable upon convic
ton by fine of not less than $40 nor
more than 500 for such and every
offense thus committed.
Section IL. And be it enacted, That
all individuals or corporations causing
fires by violations of Sections 10, IL and
II of this Act shall be liable to the
state, and to the county in which the
ire occurred, in an action for debt to
the full amount of all expenses incurred
by the state or county in lighting and
eXtinguishing such fire
Section IA. And be it enacted That
Justices of the Peace of this State,
in the county wherein the offence shall
have been committed shall have juris-
diction to hear and determine all pro-
secutions for the purpose of enforcing
fines and penalties. collcctible under
the provision of this Act. not exceeding
the amount of 500. and of holding the
offender, under proper bail if necessary
FOR hearing before the Circuit Court
committing them to the county iail
until such hearing. If the required bail
is not furnished 1t shall be the duty
OF the States Attorney of the several
counties. to prosecute all Violators of
Section 10 of this Act
Section 5. And be it enacted That
all money received as penalties for
violations of the provisions of this Act
less the cost of collection and not
otherwise provided for. together with
any amount obtained from the State
Forest Reserves. shall be paid into the
state Treasury to the credit of the
Forest Reserve Fund which fund is
hereby created; and the monies in said
tund are hereby appropriated for pur-
poses of forest protection. manage
ment. replacement. and extension under
the direction of the State Board of
Forestry.
Section 1G. And be it enacted. That
there is hereby appropriated the sum
of thirty five hundred dollars (S35OO)
annually for the fiscal years 1907 and
1908, for carrying out the provisions
OF this Act and for the payment of
salaries and expenses herein provided
for
Section Il And he it enacted. That
all Acts or parts of Acts inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed.
Section is. And be ii enacted. That
this Act shall take effect from the date
of its passage.
Approved April 5. 1906.
EDWIN WAKEFIELD.
Governor.
JOSEPH b. SETH.
President of Senate.
CARVILLE d. BENSON.
Speaker of House of Delegates.