The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-02

One OF the most important features
taken up at the recent conservation con-
gress in its meeting at St paul was
that of police protection for our for
ests. Under the present provisions Of the
Federal law the forest preserves are regu-
larly patrolled by forest rangers. These
rangers have as a part Of their duties
the prevention OF forest fires, the preser-
ya;!on Of our big game. and In case OF
violation Of law they are authorized 10
make the necessary arrests.
There is. however, no adequate provision
for the trial OF such prisoners. nor are
there any penalties inflicted for minor
violations Of the law beyond short i'm
prisonment
In this connection Il Is interesting TO
know what means are used By other
countries 10 care for their forests The
province OF Saxony. In Germany. seems
10 have taken further strides along this
line than this country and a study Of
the police regulations as enforced there
is Of interest
Few Fires I'm SaxOny.
/ The surprising rarity OF forest fires in
Saxony. where one-fourth Of the total
/ area OF the kingdom is wooded may be
attributed to the constant care given TO
clearing out dead timber and underbrush,
force Of vigilant forest guards. and q
strict observance OF The state laws and
local regulations for the prevention Of
such fires. Besides, as the whole country
/ is very thickly populated. any fire break
ing out would be promptly combatsd by
q ver.table army Of men.
/ a new forest law that went into effect
in Saxony last year Furnishes with a fine
not exceeding 60 marks (Sl42sl, or with
Imprisonment not exceeding TWO weeks.
whoever shall enter a forest or 20 near
one with unguarded fire OF light in a
manner involving risk: whoever shall
drop throw away, or carelessly handle
IN a forest or in dangerous proximity
thereto any burning or glowing object.
and whoever. unauthorized, shall light
fire in a forest or IL dangerous proximity
thereto, or whoever shall fail 10 watch
carefully and put out a FIRE that has
been started in permissible manner. A
fine not exceeding 60 marks, or imprison-
ment not exceeding two weeks. will be
inflicted on whoever shall fail 10 render
assistance at forest fires when called
upon by the police authorities or the
forest owners or their representatives.. il
such summons can be complied with
without serious disadvantage.
Uniform Police Law.
In commenting on this law a Saxon
jurist calls attention 70 the fact that
Icarelessness IN handling fire and light in
state forest reservations has heretofore
been largely controlled by local police
regulations II was found advisable IN
order 10 prevent forest fires and the
enormous damage attendant thereon
TO enact severer penalties than could be
applied by subordinate police. Further
more. a uniform law was desirable For
instance. in some localities IL was a pun
ishable offense 10 60 in a forest with an
unprotected light or fire. Il is now made
conditional IN Saxony that such unpro-
tected light or FIRE be handled in a man
ner involving risk in order 10 render a
person liable 10 punishment.
There was also a difference in treating
the question OF tobacco smoking In for
ests. The experience OF the state forest
supervisors has shown that there is no
. necessity for a sweeping prohibition
against smoking and permitting only the
use Of covered pipes. Il Is held that
there is no danger Of fire from smoking
on roads in the forest in wet seasons or
during snow or rain or shortly there
after. Accordingly. the present law per
mits smoking except when It involves
danger OF fire. In considering what con-
stitutes danger of FIRE one is cautioned
in this vicinity 10 take into account the
season Of the year, dryness, the velocity
OF the wind condition and covering OF
the ground of the forest, and other Cir
cumstances that would tend TO justify
an apprehension Of fire. Throwing burn
ing cigar ends and matches on the dry
ground Of a forest is contrary 10 law,
The German federal law provides that
a fine up 10 $50 marks $3.50 or ade-
quate Imprisonment, shall be inflicted on
whoever will not assist when called upon
by the police authorities or their repre-
sentatives in extinguishing forest fires.
II IS not incumbent on a Judge, in hear
ing cases where noncompliance to assist
lis charged. to determine whether the
helm demanded was either suitable or
necessary.
Old village Regulation.
A Saxon village regulation Of one hun
dred and thirty-fve years ago. still ap-
pUcable in that consular district, directs
that when a fire breaks out from light
ming, negligence IN handling fire, but
more especially from careless tobacco
smoking. or from any other cause, in
forests or woods. then. in such cases. all
inhabitants Of the nearest hamlets or
villages, in addition 10 the regular hunt
ing and forest employees. are obliged 20
assemble at once al the scene OF the con-
Aagration with axes, hatchets. mattocks.