The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-26
FOREST SCOUTS
DO GOOD WORK
Fire Losses in 1913 Only $4,000
$3,400,000 Preceding Year


Forest fire losses which for years
have totaled more than $1,000, 900 an
nually in Michigan, decreased to $67,-
900 in 1913. according To the annual re-
port of the state forestry warden. VIII
nam Il. Oates. which was submitted Ia
Governor W. y. Ferris last week.
The losses in 1912 amounted to 49,
100000. Last season was unfavorable
Tor the prevention of the starting of
forest fires because of the unprecedent-
ed drouth, says the state official, and
he adds that the remarkable reduc-
tlon in loss must he ascribed To work.
ing agencies rather than conditions.
our department cannO. in fair
ness claim more than nominal credit
in the diminution OF forest fires" says
Mr.. Oates. 1T submits that the curb
ing of forest fires is Que To Il sys-
tcmatic organization of the township
supervisors OF the forest district as
local fire wardens; To Improvement of
Nh' way HlNltN-
ton, and TO the moral enlistment of
1000 school boys of the forest district,
as Michigan Forest Scouts"
More Fires But Smaller Ones.
Although there was Il great reduc-
ton in loss by forest fires il is a fact
nevertheless that many more were re-
ported TO the department in 1913 than
in 1911 when the merchantable timber
loss was unusually high. Five hundred
and nine fires were eNtinguiShed by
the Forest scouts in 1912, while last
year, with an increased membership o.
1000, the scouts eXtinguished 73l fires.
The boys also planted 1000 trees near
many of the principal towns and viii
idges of the state.
1T is evident to all familiar with
the situation that without the aid
of other agencies the provisions made
by the state would be grossly made
uuate,' says Warden Oates. The indie
pendent patrol by the lumbermen has
no positive guarantee of continuance
ana the scout work of the school boys
is the result of patriotism which this
department can ask for but not COM
mand. In the counties of OntonagOn.
Marquette, Dickinson, relta and Luce,
there are more square miles of fire.
trap slashings guarded by state fire
fund of $4,000 than in the entire state
OF Minnesota where the annual fire
aghting fund is more than 100000
Danger in Slashings.
In the lower peninsula, Cheboygan
IhatleroiX Pressure Isle, Montmoren-
~, Crawford, Kalkaska, Missaullee and
Wexford counties contain large areas
Of dangerous slashings. which are
continual menace to life and property.
i'iscctins the farm lands of Alcona
and IosCo counties is another large
area of Intermittent slashings.
This department comedies il as
possible that conditions might obtain.
prolonged summer drouth.
when numerous fires originating in
theboN gan, CharlevoiX and Presque
Isl" counties famed by continuous
high Winds, might join in lake To
lake wave of flame and sweep south
ward deaNing Il wave of devastation
and death surprising in horror pre-
Nious holocaust. Conditions cited might
bring n similar CONFEDERATION in the
upper peninsula. originating in Mar
luette, bntonagOn or Luce counties.
Recommends New Laws.
The following recommendations to
the legislature are contained ~ the
forestry warden's report. "A law pro-
riding that the department may ar
bitrarily name the number of patrol
men which will he assigned To logging |
and other railways, whenever their
ines do not conform To legal regula-
lions of cleared right way. such |
patrolmen to be employed by railroads |
At their expense; law providing penal |
~ for non posting of fire warning |
placards by railroad companies; pro- |
visions for the legal standardization of |
front end mesh. that all locomotives in |
service in the forest district of the |
tate, during the dry season, shall he |
with wire mesh of not less !
han number ten steel wire and not !
more than three siXteenths inches |
square, or with perforated oblong steel |
plates. not more than three sixteenths |
by one and one sixth inches i'm length. |
Provision is especially urged eX
mptiug from taxation for "A limited |
ime any private lands. which may be
set aside for reforestation; also law
hat no person shall set or cause To be |
set any fire for the purpose of clear
ng any lands in the state of Michi-
gan of any Combustiblc material, ex-
'ept with the consent of the forestry |
warden, one of his deputies. or the SUI
)ervisor of the township in which said |
Tearing is To he accomplished that |
n the unoreanized township consent |
nay be obtained from the supervisor
{ any adjoining township or the state
'orestry warden or one of his deputies. |
TO BUILD WORLD CITY.
An international city to be built at Il |