Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20

Prof. Rothrock has gone to the western
part of the state in similar mission.
1t is impossible to estimate with accu-
racy the number of men fighting forest
fires throughout the state, but 1t is likely
that the total under the jurisdiction or the
department of forestry is not far short OF
400.
The principal fires upon state forest re-
serves or which threaten such land are IN
Union, Snyder. Center. Clinton and NiI-
fin counties These are only three ois-
tinct fires, however. The Union-Snyder-
Center area is one big fire, burning along
the adjoining edges of these counties Re-
ports are that it is under control.
The Clinton county fire is south OF the
Susquehanna river. between remove anu
Lock Haven. This fire is still raging ana
working UP the mountain toward the
state camp
Drought Is Severe.
With the enforced suspension of many
industries. crops ruined, live stock sur
fering and river navigation at stand
still, the drought Is fast assuming serious
proportions in western Pennsylvania.
eastern Ohio and West Virginia.
At night raging forest fires light up
miles of territory. while thousands of per-
sons are doing everything in their power
to check the flames. Meetings are held
at which prayers for rain are offered
A majority OF the smaller streams are
as dry as a hone and their beds are
being used as wagon roads. Near Marlet-
ia Ohio. the large steamboat Tornado.
with tow of barges. Is lying on bed
Of gravel in the middle Of what was the
river.
In the PittsburE harbor there are be-
tween fifteen and twenty million pusne.s
of coal ready to be shipped to points
south and west Of this city. Unless this
fuel reaches it's destination before snow
comes considerable suffering will result
from coal famine.
In the teeth of a strong wind the forest
fire that has been burning for a week III
the Barclay mountain district hemmed In
the village of Long Valley near Williams
port, yesterday. A large house and the
town slaughter house. belonging to the
stroyed. Odd Fellows Hall was on fire.
but this was saved by twenty men with
axes cutting away the roof.
While the men fought the flames the
women and children loaded household
goods on cars and these were pushed
into the mine out of the danger zone.
Conditions are so serious because of
the protracted drouth that the trolley
plant of the Pottsville Union Traction
Company is liable at any moment to lose
its supply from the Pottsville Water Com
pany. which is outstanding its stored
water at every point.
Forest fires. which have spread from
the railroad tracks to the timber lands,
hanna and other places in the Pocono
mountains. The area already covered by
the flames is 1000 acres. The flames in
some places have reached height or
forty feet, and the loss suffered by prop
erty owners is large.
Incendiaries at Work.
WILL1AMSPORT. Pa. September 10
New forest fires are burning west and
north of this city.
The flames which threatened to do
damage to logs belonging to the Central
Pennsylvania Lumber Company. near
Iauuin. are now under control Though
the fires continue to burn in the slash
ings there is little danger of immediate
damage.
Trouble is threatened in the vicinity Of
Trout Run. at that place 1t Is believed
an incendiary Is at work. He has not
been caught in the act of setting fires.
but blazes have been discovered In places
where he is known to have been.
The fire wardens have been instructed
to shoot his legs off in case they catch
him in the act of setting blaze
At Blackwels fight is being made
under direction of the state forestry
commission. Aid was sent from Lock
Haven to assist in fighting the fires which
threaten to reach Remove.
This city is shrouded in smoke. A
drenchrs> rain is said to he all that can
prevent additional fires. as it is practically
impossible to fight flames.
Appeals for Aid.
BELVIDERE, \. j.. September 10
Forest fires near Saltwater, Sussex
county have assumed such grave pro
portions that the state fire warden has
been appealed to for aid and has directed
that the authorities employ all the help
needed to master the flames. The fire
has destroyed hundreds of acres of
young timber and a great deal Of valu-
able old timber.