The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-11
FIRE FIGHTING IN
WESTERN FORESTS
Steps Will Be Taken to Pre-
vent Their Starting
CHARACTER OF FIRES
Secretary Hitchcock spends Money
Freely in the Purchase of Furniture
and New Equipment For POST
office Department
BY SIDNEY EsPEY

| ly started and with weather and othei
conditions favoring 1t is beyond the power
of man to stop 1t, the government
method of dealing with fires in its vast
domains, particularly in the wilds of the
west, is to prevent them as far as posi-
Bile In this connection the old adage
about an ounce of prevention being
worth pound of cure is particularly i'm
pressive.
That nothing but heavy rains and the
dying down of winds will check forest
fire when it has gained great Roadway is
evident from the fires which recently
have been raging through the west Tha'
forest fires are not more frequent and
more disastrous Is due to the never ceas-
ing diligence of the forestry service OF
the department Of agriculture in prevent
ing fires while in an incipient stage from
spreading. By means of an eniclent pa
troll system small fires are quickly de-
tected, and unless the elements are TOO
strongly in their favor they are extin-
gushed by the rangers. before they
spread to any great extent and before
any particular damage results.
Chief Forester Graves contends that
the principles of fighting forest fires are
essentially the same as those recognized
in fighting fires in cities. He considers
of chief Importance the quick arrival OF
fire fighters at the fires, an adequate
force, proper equipment, proper organ
ization of the fighting crew and skill in
attacking the flames. Just as in city
the efficiency of a fire service depends
largely on the equipment, so, also, in Tor
est fire work It is essential that the fight
ers be furnished with proper tools and
other equipment.
The implements needed for lighting for
est fires vary under different conditions.
Whatever dirt can be used the men are
provided with long-handled shovels. If
water is available, buckets are provid-
ed, and, where possible, bucket
pumps. Under most conditions 1t is con-
sidered desirable to have mattocks and
iron rakes, and there should always be
axes to aid In clearing the brush by cut
ting down timber and old tops.
There are three classes of fires-sur-
face fires, ground fires and crown"
fires. Surface fires burn the layer of dry
leaves and other litter, dry grass, brush
and small trees Ground fires occur
where the mineral soil is covered with
deep accumulation of vegetable mold.
IneSe on account O1 lnc pCdby ShtNioSeOh
of the mineral burn more slowly than
surface fires Crown fires are those
which burn through the crowns of the
trees, and invariably start from surface
fires.
The damage done by forest fires is va
ried. Some of the results are, death to
standing trees. injury to trees that are
not killed, injury to SOIL reduction of the
rate of growth of the standing trees, and
lessening the reproduction of trees.
Careless smokers and campers leaving
lighted camp fires are the principal
causes of forest fires. Sparks from loco
motives and sawmlls often originate
blazes. In many instances serious fires
have been known to have originated from
incendiarism and lightning. In the case
of the recent western fires the forest SER
vice has been advised that much of the
spread is due to incendiarism.
Chief Forester Graves believes that the
organization of an adequate forest patrol
for protection denotes the establishment
of such conditions that the chance of a
fire are reduced to a minimum. Among
the measures variously used to accom-
plish this are the disposal>of SLASH or
debris from logging operations; the de-
velopment of roads, trails and fire lines
and the establishment of lookout stations
and telephone lines
1t is frequently the case that the sub
ordinates of the federal departments In
Washington judge the ability and
strength of their respective department
heads-the cabinet officers-by their pro-
clivities for rushing through appropria-
lions for salary increases and for the pur-
chase of furniture and supplies.
Although 1t is 25 years since Benjamin
Brewster of Pennsylvania was attorney
general his name is we'll known to all the
attaches of the department of justice to-
day, although many attorney generals
since his time have come and gone, and
are practically forgotten, simply because
Mr.. Brewster was successful in buying
handsome furniture and in obtaining in.
creased salaries for his clerks and assist.
ants.
When Brewster refitted the department
offices shortly after he assumed office
he created somewhat of sensation IN
departmental circles by spending an
enormous sum for furniture. Such desks
book cases, rugs and easy chairs and the
like had never before been seen there
and Attorney General Brewster laughed
off all criticism by saying he believed ir
dignity and comfort. That the govern
ment got its moneys worth in most OF
the purchases is evident from the fact
that some of the furniture is being used
| in the department today.
General Hitchcock Is rapidly
acquiring the reputation of Brewster that
| is, as far as furniture goes. Since be-
coming postmaster general he has prac-
| tically reftted the offices on what Is
known as the administration floor 1t Is
| on this floor that the postmaster general
and his four assistants and other admin
| istrative heads of the department work
He has also refurnished some of the di-
visions on the other floors of the post
office buildings, which had not had new
| furniture for several decades. SO unusual
| is this innovation that some of the ole
bewhiskered division chiefs and clerks
are astonished at the newness of things
| Army officers on duty at the war de
partment for the first time in thei
military careers are always impressed
with the absence of uniforms about thu
| department. OF course these new "desl
officers become accustomed to thi.
strangeness.
| young captain of artillery was re
Gently detailed for duty at the depart
ment After he had been there two o.
three days he said he wished the Off
! GERS wore uniforms, because he nevei
knew at first glance whether he was talk
ing to a major-general, a messenger Of
| q newspaper man.
1.-THE uniform has other advantages
said this officer 1.-THE doorkeepers, clerks
and other menials are always impressed
| by the sight of blue cloth and gold braid
I had been at the department about
week, engaged In preparing an import
ant report. While standing in the QUITE
room of the chief of staff chatting will
some officers whom I knew, a rathe
| soldierlY looking Individual In plaiI