The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-08-14
CHECKING FOREST FIRES
Government Aiding States With
100000 Appropriation

100000 Appropriation
The Agricultural appropriation act
which Congress has just passed
makes available 100000 for continu-
ing the cooperation of the Govern
ment with States in the protection of
forests against fire.
This cooperation began in 1911,
when Congress first recognized the
duty of the Government to aid in pro-
tecting the watersheds of nayigable
streams by enacting the so-called
Weeks law. The law not only pro
ylded for the purchase by the Govern
ment OF forest lands in the East
needed for stream protection. but al
so authorized the Secretary of Agri-
culture to cooperate with the States
to prevent fire on other forest lands
located on the watersheds of navig-
able streams.
AS a result, private owners of for
est lands in many regions have been
benefited by the establishment of a
protective system of proved efficien-
cy. During the fire season approx
mately 800 patrolmen are maintained
in the field under this law. They
guard an area of about 100000
acres. for the most part mountainous
and all on important watersheds.
This area is protected at very low
cost per acre. A much larger acre
age is protected in the same States
by State employees and private agen-
Gle. All told, the expenditures
from State and private funds are
from three to five times as great as
those from Federal funds.
Since forest fires, by destroying
the soil cover, bring about erosion
In rough country, with consequent
sitting up of river channels and loss
OF navigablity, the fire problem is
one of broad national Importance. To
secure Federal aid State must have
provided by law for system of for
est fire protection and its expendi-
lures must at least equal the Govern
ment's.
No state is allotted more than &c.
goo. The States which are now re-
ceiying aid are Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Con-
necticut, New York. New Jersey,
Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky,
Michigan. Wisconsin, Minnesota,
South Dakota, Montant, Idaho, Wash
ington. and Oregon, is In all.
The aim is to cooperate with every
State which can meet the require
ments of the law. giving most assist
ance to those which have difficulty
in providing efficient protection. 1t
is the policy to disbursc the Federal
fund in such way that the educa-
tional value of the work will be fully
realized.
A specific agreement is made with
each State. The Government is sup
piled with the States plan of fire
protection, including maps which
show the areas to be protected. loca-
iion of lookout stations. headquarters
dub lUultN vi Huiibtuttis duh tthti
features necessary to a clear under
standing of tho scheme of fire con
troll. The State forester or similar
officer is given an appointment in the
Forest Service. which authorizes him
to employ Federal Patrolmen. The
Federal expenditures are for the
salaries of these patrolmen. The
patrolmen are under the state fores-
ter's direction and supervision. with
inspection OF their work by the For
est Service.
Besides the direct results of patrol
and other protective measures in
keeping down the fire damage. the
educational value of the cooperation
has been shown through a much
greater care taken by the public in
the use OF fire and the encourage
ment given States to enact lcgisla-
tion which will enable them to meet
the requirements of the Weeks law.
The Government extends this CO.
operation TO all States which will
qualify To do this a State must es
tsblish fire protective system and
appropriate funds for its use.