Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-09-13
WOULD UTILIZE ARMY
SOLDIERS SHOULD ASSIST IN
FIGHTING FOREST FIRES.
Editor of The Timberman Seeks to
Arouse People to Necessity of
Protecting Forests.

George M. Cornwall, editor of the
Timberman, and the acknowledged
authority on all subjects pertaining to
cate of the proposed plan to utilize
the regular army in protecting the
timber from fire. In a recent letter to
the Observer, Mr.. Cornwall says:
| / think there is scarcely a person
who lives in Oregon, Washington, Ida
no, Montana or California who has
not been aroused to the necessity for
greater vigilance in the matter Of for
est fire protection and prevention, es-
pecially in the national forests
The experiences we are now passing
through bring home the lesson clearly.
The loss Of life and property, both pri-
vate and national, demands immediate
attention.
Introduced Resolution.
The writer at Spokane. Washington,
on August 4, at the semi-annual meet
ing of the Western Pine Manufacture
ers' Association. introduced the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted with
a view of enlisting the national gov
ernment in the successful fighting and
prevention of forest fires in the ma
tional forests which have been doing
heavy damage In Idaho and Montana
and lesser damage in Washington,
Oregon and California:
Whereas. There exists grave men,
ace to the timber in the national for
an MT Of Hrsn 10 g7sf~ty In
it great and irreparable damage to life
and property; and,
Whereas There are stationed in diff
ferent posts in the United States reg
ular government troops who could be
utilized in fire protec-
tion and extinguishment; now. there
fore be 1t
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
meeting that communication be adj
dressed to the president of the United
States as commander-in-ch of the
army, asking that troops located in
the different states be regularly in
in the methods of forest fire
lighting and patrol, and be it further
4 Resolved That said troops be placed
under the direction of the Department
of the Interior or other appropriate
of the government and as
signed for patrol duty during the
months of May June, July August
that the timber resources of the I'M
tied States be more carefully conserv-
ed
The resolution was heartily indorsed
and kilograms were sent by the asso-
citation to President Taft and Henry s.
Graves, Chief Forester, and also by
President Flewelling of the Western
and Conservation Association.
rhe President directed the Secretary of
War to lend the assistance of troops
wherever available in combating fire.
rhe troops have done effective service. :
With training and preparation their
would be increased.
The government should make 1t
policy to maintain corps of soldiers
n the states of Oregon, Washington,
daho, Montana and California in the
rational forests during the months of
Nay, June, July, August and Septem-
,er to cooperate with the forest SER
ice in patrol and fire lighting duties.
Systematic Patrol Needed.
A systematic campaign of fire pro-
ection should be inaugurated and
arried out by the troops. BY placing
entries on the promontories over
boxing the timbered area supplied
nth telephone communication, any in
ormation of incipient fires could be
uickIy transmitted. The troops could
Materially assist the forest service in
utting fire trails and making access
ole every portion of the national for
SITS and also maintaining a thorough
nd efficient patrol system. The great
st value of patrol is necessarily along
'aveled routes, railroad, etc. There
re at present about rs, 600 soldiers at
ne different army posts. II half OF the
len were assigned annually for forest
uty it would practically mean the end
disastrous fires in the national for
SITS. Lightning is one of the most SER
us fire menaces to be combatted.
here are in the states of Montana,
laho, Washington, oregon and Cali
,rnla 1900 forest service men. These
'e a mere handful covering the inn
ense scope OF territory, and this
'rce must be augmented II results are
be achieved. The forest service has
srformed its function admirably. with
e limited money and men at its dis
,sal. but its efforts should be supple
ented by the regular army.