The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-09-15
FOR PROTECTION
OF NATIONAL FORESTS
PEOPLE AROUSED TO NECESSITY OF GREATER VIGILANCE
MMATTER OF PROTECTION FROM FOREST FIRES

BY George N. Cornwell Editor The Timberman
Portland. Ore.
I think there is scarcely a person
who lives in Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Montana or California who
has not been aroused to the necessity
for greater vigilance in the matter of
forest fire protection and prevention,
especially in the national forests.
The experiences we are now pass
ing through brings home the lesson
clearly. The loss of life and proper
ty, both private and national, de-
mands immediate attention.
The writer at Spokane, WASH, on
August 4, at the semi-annual meeting
of the western Pine Manufacturers
Association, introduced the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted
with view of enlisting the national
government in the successful fighting
and prevention of forest fires which
have been doing heavy damage in
Idaho and Montana and a lesser dam
age in Washington, Oregon and Cal
ifOrnia:
Whereas, There exists a grave
menace to the timber in the national
forests on account of fire, carrying
with it great and irreparable damage
to life and property; and
Whereas, There are stationed in
different posts in the United States
regular government troops who
could be advantageously utilized in
fire protection and extinguishment;
now therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of
this meeting that communication
be addressed to the president of the
United States as commander-in-chief
of the army, asking that troops locat-
ed in the different states be regularly
instructed in the methods of forest
fire fighting and patrol, and be it
further .-- .-
Resolved, That said troops be
placed under the direction of the De-
partment of the Interior or other ap-
propriate department of the govern.
ment and assigned for patrol duty
during the months of May, June, Ju-
ly, August and September OF each
year to the end that the timber re-
sources of the United States be more
carefully conserved.
The resolution was heartily in
dorsed and kilograms were sent by
the association to President Taft and
Henry S. Graves, Chief Forester, and
also by President Flewelling of the
Western Forestry and Conservation
Association. President directed the
Secretary of War to lend the assist
ance of troops wherever available in
combating fire. The troops have
done effective service. With train
ing and preparation their efficiency
would be increased.
The government should make it a
policy to maintain a corps of soldiers
in the states of Washington, Idaho,
Montana and California during the
months of May, June, July, August
and September to cooperate with
the forest service in patrol and fire
fighting duties.
A systematic compaign should be
inaugurated and carried out by the
troops, BY placing sentries on the
promontories overlooking the tim
bered area supplied with telephone
communication, any information OF
incipient fires could be quickly trans
mitted. The troops could materially
assist the forest service in cutting
fire trails and making accessible ev-
cry portion of the national forests
and also maintaining thorough and
efficient fire patrol system. The
greatest value of patrol is necessarily
along travelled routes, railroad, etc.
There are at present about 5000 SOL
diers at the different army posts. If
half of the men were assigned annu-
ally for forest duty it would practic-
ally mean the end of disastrous fires
in the national forests. Lightning is
one of the most serious fire menaces
to be combatted. There are in the
states of Montana, Idaho, Washing
ton, Oregon and California 1900 for
est service men. These are a mere
handful covering the immense scope
of territory, and this force must be
augmented if results are to be
achieved. The forest service has per-
formed it's function admirably, with
the limited money and men at its dis
posal, but it's efforts should be sup
plemented by the regular army.
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