Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-20

twelve months in history in point or
the destructiveness Of forest fires in the
United States. It is estimated that in
ordinary years the average annual loss
through forest fires in this country is
not less than $5OOOO,00O, but, great as
Is this havoc under what might be term
ed normal conditions, 1t appears almost
insignificant by comparison with the
d-breaking waste Of the present
period, when the aggregate loss will
probably amount to several times the
usual 100000. For a considerable
interval this autumn, when the forest
fires have been at their height, the
flames were doing damage to the
amount Of $1,00000O day.
The principle cause of this epidemic
Of forest fires has been found, Of course,
In the drought which has been general
throughout the country but there have
been other adverse conditions which
have contributed to the menacing sitIa-
ton. Indeed, as an expert on forestry
recently pointed out, It has seemed as
IuOuRh tfCly una W eiDiS
condition has been present this year to
help along the deadly and destructive
work Deadly-because, in addition to
the loss of property, there has been an
appalling loss of life In connection with
this years fires.
Even in an ordinary year 1t is estf-
mated that not less than sixty-fiVe lives
are included In the toll exacted by for
est fires during the twelve months, and
this year in the case Of the human sac
rif1ce, as with the loss Of material
things, the average has been greatly ex-
ceeded Moreover, there will be Sc
quel to this years fires that will lot
appear In connection with any Of the
statistics of loss at first hand from for
est fires. As readers of the newspapers
have had good cause to realize, the fires
this year have not been confined, as is
often the case largely to the densely
wooded and sparsely populated dis
tricts, laying waste towns Of consider
able size and driving great numbers of
people from their homes. AS a result
Ol lIlc sui anu NADCoulC IIiuS III
tailed there will probably be much in
validism and many deaths that, not
being Immediately attributable to the
forest fires, will not be included In the
statistics that will constitute the chron-
icle of this years fire record
Climatic Conditions UnfavorabIe.
Another unusual feature of the for
est fires of 1908 is found in the wide
range of territory visited by the flames
In the Maine woods and in the Adiron-
daclxs of Northern New York; through
out the State of Pennsylvania in Mich
igan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and
other territory adjacent to the Great
Lakes the forest fires ragged simultane,
ously, and even on the Pacific Coast
the menace has been present, threaten
ing among other things the destruction
of one Of the finest groves Of the priced
big trees. Moreover, the forest fires
this year have been unusually difficult
to conquer, and in many instances the
owners of magnificent private forests or
hunting preserves provided with the
best private fire-fighting systems have
found themselves unable to cope with
the rapidly travelling flames and have
been obliged to appeal to nearby mu-
inequalities for aid.
The seasons unparalleled record has
given the country an unpleasant object
lesson as to what may happen any year
and has aroused everybody concerned
to a realization Of the need of some
better system of fighting and prevent
ing this immense yearly loss. Not only
have private individuals and corpora
tons owning timber lands been stirred
to action by the spectacle Of the past
few weeks, but the United States Gov
eminent has inaugurated a country
wide campaign that it is believed will
point a way to prevent many forest
fires and to control those that, despite
precautions, gain start.
AS a first step the national Govern
ment has had one of the most efficient
employees of its forest service, Mr. Ray
mond W. Pullman, travelling over the
burned areas in the Northwest and else
where. and not only gathering detailed
statistics that will be Of value in urging
congressional action on the subject. hut
also taking notes as to the physical
characteristics Of the fires and all de-
tails that might lead to a better under
standing of this destructive element
and the best means to circumvent it.
At the same time the national au-
thorities have detailed an expert on for
estry, Mr.. Paul G. Redington, to
make an investigation of the whole
broad subject of forest fires and to
devise ways and means for an i'm
provement of conditions in the future
In speaking Of the line Of action to be
taken by the government in enlisting
cooperation for the common cause
Forester Redington said recently:
What is wanted is an organized eff
fort on the part of the government,
the states, corporations and individu-
ais. There should be ADEQUATE fire
laws In every State where any forests
are located. These laws should pro-
vide for the appointment of fire war
dens, who should have authority and
the power to enforce such, and to call
upon the services of citizens in fight
ing forest fires which occur The law
should provide penalty to be i'm