Evening journal., 1912-10-02

The Governors and the Forest Com
missioners Of many States have APP
lea.ed to the Boy Scouts of Amer
lea to help fight and prevent fores,
fires Governor John A Dix Of New
York State has asked the leaders of
the Boy Scouts of America to CO.
operate with the State in the cOnser-
Walton of the forest. The Forest
Commission of New Hampshire has
offered medals to the Boy Scouts OF
that State for work done in suppress
ing or preventing forest fires. AS "A
result of his request plans are being
developed by James e. West. Chief
Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of
America, George II. Merritt, Secre-
tary of the Editorial Board, and other
leade IS with view of training the
Bow Scouts i'm the detection and pre-
veniion of such fires. The idea OF
Governor Dix ian regard to the Boy
Scouts is outlined clearly in letter
written to the Boy Scouts of America
By Hon. Eckford c. dekay, Military
Secretary to the Governor, Albany
New York as ollows
estod in the movement Of the BOY
Scouts Of Ameri a and would IKE 10
confer with soms member of the
. Council in regard to tn cooperation
between the State and the various
troops of Boy Scouts located within
its borders. He has directed me 10
write TO YOU with "A view of having a
conference at an early date, either m
Albany or i'm New York. The latter
Mace however, woulG be dependent
upon his ma,siny the trip for other
purposes.
AS you know, Governor Dix is eN-
trcmelv interested in the matter o.
conservation, especially as il AFFECTS
forest preservation. and 1t is his be-
lief that the Boy Scouts could be oil
c,.timable service to the Common
wealth and to posterity could they DC
4 utilized in the detection and proven
lion of forest fires. This OF COURSE
would be utilizing the scouts 10 me
greatest possible benefit to the com
n,unitv and to themselves and were
they 10 take up this matter earnestly
and efficiently. It might be possible 10
arrange i'm some way to obtain the
oo-operation of the State IN some
small financial way.
81 trust thai you will give this mat
te- your Immediate attention. CONFER
ring with the proper officials OF the
Association and advising me IN the
matter at your earliest convenience
"a G Hirst. State Foi ester OF New
Tamnshire. has appealed to the BOY
scouts 10 extinguish forest fires In
=, letter to James Il. West. Forester
Irirst saws; "The following medals
have nc N offered by the President OF
The Forestry Commission one solu
medal three silver medals, i've Oroh1e
medals; each bearing the name oil inc
recipient. the date and year. the IN
siont, of the Boy Scouts of America
ard the New Hampshire Forestry
Commission. and to be awarded by 2
COMMITTEES consisting Of the Cover,
nor the state Forester and the Scout
commissioner designated by inc
CHIEF Scout Executive.
"The above medals would be award
ed ro. distinguished service in putting
ont FIRE. in helping to fight 1re' Oh
i'm reportirg fire or fires to the pro
ner state cficial. A full report OF eacf
case should be written by the Scout
Master IS soon as possible after inc
service is performed, and forwarded
10 the state Forester, Concord New
Hampshire. bearing the approval O
the Town Forest Fire Warden.
Great care should be taken in ap
praising the boys of the medals to la,
emphasis upon the condition that al
reports on fires must be immediately
made to the State officials first hanC
and before its presence is discovered
by others and that the starting of fir'
IN. carelessness will be equally as Sc