Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-12-22
PERMANENT
FORCE TO FIGHT
N. ]. FOREST FIRES
Reservation Commissions Re-
port to Governor Fort Contains
Important Recommendations.
Especial to the newark start

Especial to the Newark star.l
TRENTON, Dec. $50 long as there
are woodlands. railroads running loco
motives which do not consume their
sparks. men who carelessly throw away
matches, and a public recklessly indif-
ferent about starting brush fires New
Jersey will have forest fires to battle
with. This is a statement made by the
Forest Park Reservation Commission
in its annua report, which was sub
mitteN to Governor Fort today. Con
tinuing, the report says:
Even if all the direct exposures shall
be controlled there will still be acct
dental fires. The experience OF the Far
West, the experience of New Jersey.
and the experience of the whole world
teaches hat forest fires can be fully
controlled in one way, and in one way
only-that is by measures to prevent
them.
1.-THE detailed analysis of the years
fires is worth some attention, for it
shows, among other facts, that in no
less than ga instances someone has
been held responsible for a fire. 1t is
doubtful IL this record a be dupli-
Gated in all the rest of the United
States. 1t is also important to note
that the prompt control of siXty-two
fires at a cost of s947 saved property
valued at $4,000"
Can Revive Lumber Industry.
The report says that although the
lumber industry in New Jersey has
been almost extinguished, more be-
cause of fires than the legitimate cut
ting, the commission believes that this
once 6 reat industry can be revived in
a way large enough to be again of i'm
p~ortance by giving the forests reason
able protection. In order that this plan
may. be worked out, however, ii is re-
marked that fire hazards must be elm
mated.
In discussing the records of the year
throughout the country, the commission
says that it will probably stand for
ever as the most disastrous, in respect
to forest fires, that the country has
known. 1t is officially estimated that
in the far West 10000 0 acres have
been burned over, causing a loss on
standing timber alone of from $175, 000,-
900 to 5000. 600. 900. and that the cost of
fighting the flames was not less than
81, 500, 900. Between one and two hun-
bred lives are supposed to have been
sacrificed.
Conditions Favor Fires.
In is stated that in New Jersey con-
ditions were very favorable for. fires,
which numbered a few more and caused
about $1,000 more loss than those of the
l. nrarp0inp WAR h1f tho area h1rnad
was less by nearly $4,000 acres.
New Jersey's'fre service at the pres
ent time comprises a State fire warden
and about 200 district and township
wardens. The salary and expenses of
the fire wardens is borne by the State,
while the cost oe local service Is shared
equally by the State and h townships
The latter are paid $40 a yea and the
district wardens $40 a yea for max
ing reports. issuing permits and paying
postage. This is more than I'M other
State pays by way of salary or re-
tainer, but 1t is remarked that no mar
can be expected to do a great deal of
patrolling or other preventative work
for such pay, adding that the weakness
of every fire service lies In the in
sufflciency of the preventative force.
A strong permanent force of men to
control fires before, and not after they
become serious, is urged as. the only
means of getting satisfactory results
This would mean hat the State, not
the townships, would authorize the ap-
pointment of n appropriate money to
pay inspectors or assistant State fire
wardens who would give all of their
time to the work.