The Washington times., 1911-10-02
Examinations to Be Held for
Assistant Forest Rang
ers This Month.
JOBS NOT CUT OUT
FOR MOLLYCODDLES
"Use Book" Describes Work,
Which Is Such as Would Fright
en- Tinid Souls.

The Department of Agriculture viii
require probably 400 additional forest
rangers during the field season of 1872
and the Civil Service Commission has
planned an examination for assistants
to be held october 25 and "a. Assistant
rangers receive $l,100 per annum.
The examinations, which are unique In
character because of the peculiar duties
Of the foresa ranger, will be held at
National Forest headquarters in the va
rious States having forest reserves, and
the law requires that whenever prac-
ticable the applicant shall be a citizen
of the State in which he takes the ex-
animation.
An important but segregated bit of
Government machinery is the forest
ranger. He roams trackless forests,
blazes new trails, lives in a log cabin
far removed from civilization, and per-
forms daily tasks that require physical
and mental courage.
The party of Washington newspaper
correspondents who recently toured
Wyoming as the guests of that State
camped one night near the log cabin
4 home of forest ranger. His domicile
was more than a hundred miles from d
railroad, and more than thirty miles
sisted of a plank bed, attached to the
wall and covered with straw mattresses.
a cook stove. a board table, an ak or
so, and an imprOvised bookcase in which
was stored a dozen old magazines.
In a corner, behind a riCkety chair,
lay a few cloth signs, promulgated by
the Department of Agriculture, warning
people against the danger of forest
fires.
Had Horse and Mule.
A horse and a pack mule stood out
side the door. for the ranger must fire.
quently make long trips across the
mountain to distant parts of his re-
serve.
Those who will stand the examina-
tion for forest ranger are advised in a
book issued by the department, just
what their duties will be- None but a
hardy and resolute man will undertake
the task, for the department makes
plain that the forest ranger cannot be a
''mollycoddle." Says The Use Book"
"A ranger of any grade must be sound
and able-bodied, capable of enduring
hardships and performing severe labor
under trying conditions. He must be
able to take care of himself and his
horse in regions remote from settlement
and supplies. He must be able to build
trails and cabins, ride, pack, and deal
tactfully with all classes Of people. He
AoSl hlO" SOlltllllIlB Vi ldIu surveying,
estimating and scaling lumber. logging,
land laws, mining, and the live stock
business.
THE examination is along the prac-
tical lines indicated above. and actual
demonstration, by performance, Is re-
quired Invalids seeking light out-of-
door employment need not apply. Ex-
perienCe, not book educa ton, is sought,
although ability to make simple maps
and write intelligent reports upon ordi-
nary forest business is essential. For
duty in some parts of Arizona and New
Mexico the ranger must know enough
Spanish to conduct forest business with
MeXicanS.
Their Duties.
Rangers execute the work of the
national forests under the direction of
supervisors. Their duties include patrol,
TO prevent fire and trespass, estimating,
surveying, and marking timber, the
supervision of cuttings and similar work.
HThey issue miner permits, build cabins,
and trails, oversee grazing business, re-
Port on applications, and arrest for
Violation of the forest laws and regu-
lations.''
The examinations to be held this
month are under the control of the civil |
service, and not of the forest service |
Rangers will be needed in Alaska, Ari- |
1ona. Arkansas, California, Colorado, |
Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Mon |
tana, Nebraska. Nevada, New Mexico, |
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, |
Washington, and Wyoming.