The state herald., 1908-02-14
FIFTY.SIx NEW FORESTS PLACED
IN ITS CHARGE LAST
YEAR.
NO EXTENSIVE FIRES
FORESTER PINCHoTS REPORT
TELLS OF THE WORK DONE
AND PLANNED.

Washngton.-In his annual report
for the last year Chief Forester CLIFFORD
PInchot said:
At the end OF the last fiscal year all
the national forests in the United
States and Alaska were under organ
lied administration. They comprise 1873
administrative units. under the super
vision ll6 officers in charge. Fifty
six new forests were put under admin
istration during the year.
The local administrative and protec-
tive force on the national forests on
June 80, 1907, was sc supervisors. IL
deputy supervisors, 639 rangers and
AGA guards. Each field officer engaged
in patrol covered on the average l32.-
236 acres.
Aid in technical matters was given
TO supervisors by twenty-five forest as
sistants and ten planting assistants.
The transfer to the local Offices OF
administrative details formerly han
died in Washington. together with the
routine work arising from the larger
use of forest resources made II neces-
sary TO increase the number of clerks
in the Offices of supervisors from six
10 twenty.nine.
Protective measures against forest
fires on the national forests were
highly effective, says the report. The
area burned over in the calendar year
1906 was restricted to 1l5.41G acres
less than II acres In 10000, as against
26 for the preceding year. The num-
bers Of fires reported was l,l33 and
a.. thu,.
acres The estimated value Of the tim
Der destroyed was s76,ls3. as against
slOl. .2S2 for the preceding year. The
cost of fighting fires, exclusive OF the
salaries Of forest officers. was sS,76S.
This small damage from fires. many of
which were started from lightning and
other unavoidable causes, in Immense
stretches Of mountain country, is evil
dencc. continues the report, that the
measures adopted for detecting and ex-
tinGuishing fires on the national forests
are efficient. II is certain, Mr.. Pin
chot adds, that loss by fire can be vir-
tually eliminated II appropriations for
the forests provide adequate means OF
communication and sufficient protec-
tive force
The national forests will be redis.
tricted during the year 1908 with a
view TO their more economical admin.
istration and TO making the headQuar-
ters more accessible TO users. This re
| districting will involve the creation OF
many new administrative units. The
forests viii be divided by water sheds
and natural boundaries. rather than by
legal subdivisions.
The work planned included the con
struction Of over $500 miles OF tele-
phone line, 5000 miles OF trail. 200
miles Of road. 25O bridges. 500 miles OF
drift and boundary fences and 600 cab
ins and barns. The large number of
forests upon which the work will be
carried Gn simultaneously will mako
necessary a large Increase In the force
of supervising engineers.
A number of roads will be built in CO
operation with states and counties. In
Idaho, for Instance, $4,000 will be eH.
pended IN cooperation with the state
to build a road from Boise TO Atlanta.
and $1,000 to open n wagon road from
Harpster TO Elk City and to construct
the old and well known Salmon river
trail. About $4,000 will be spent In re-
opening and repairing the Jolo military
trail. which many years ago made nc.
cessible n country rich In possibilities,
and which will shorten the route be.
tween the eastern and western por.
tions OF the state by many miles. Road
work In cooperation with counties will
be undertaken In Colorado. Oregon and
Idaho and possibly other states.
An annual statement was prepared
for the accounting officers Of tho treas.
ury showing receipts from sales OF
products on the different national for
ests This statement is used by the
secretary Of the treasury in determin'
Ing the ten per cent required by law
To be deducted and turned over 10 the
states and territories In which the for.
ests are situated for the benefit OF pub
lie schools and public roads.
The amounts to be paid TO tho states
and territories. M shown by tho state.