The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-24
Plan Of FOREST FIRE
PROTECTION N STATE
United states Department OF AgricuI-
turc Cooperating Heartily With
state Forester.
EXTENDING PATROL SYSTEM
Widespread Determination In Virginia
That ScnscIcss Destruction Of states
Timber Resources by Careless Per-
SONS Shall Cease.

state Forester K. c. Jones has is
sued the following OF general interest
to Virginians:
Forest fires have been prevalent for
years in all parts Of Virginia. and have
done an incalculablc amount of injury
to understandable timber, young
growth, the soil. and frequently to
other property, such as houses. barns,
fences. farm crops. etc. Formerly the
damage was not thoroughly realized,
particularly in backward sections and
whore timber was relatively abundant.
But with the spread of education ana
with the increasing scarcity and the
resulting higher prices of timber there
has come an increasing realization OF
the enormous amount OF the annual
destruction of property by forest fires.
which Judging by very conserrati, e
figures on the subject collected in
Maryland and North Carolina. must
amount to considerably over $500 coo
per year in Virginia to mercha ntab,e
timber alone. disregarding the lam
age TO Young growth and to the soil.
etc which Is enormous, but hard to
estimate There has come a very
widespread determination among citi-
zens OF Nirgna that this senseless de-
struction shall cease and in place of
the former feeling of helplessncss,
there is a realization that Virginia
timber can be protected just as we'll
as that OF some Of the Northern and
Western States where very efficient
State fire protective systems are now
in operation, at a trifiing cost corr
pared to the value OF the timber pro-
tec,ed. one Southern State, Mary
land. has for years heG a fire protec
tive system which is becoming more
efficient constantly. and the beginning
of such system has already been
made in the adjoining States of Eer-
lucky. Yves, Virginia and North Caro-
lima. 1t is time that Virginia fell In
line with the march OF progress II she
is to keep the place 70 which she Is
entitled among her sister States. A
very effective beginning can now be
made through the cooperation of the
Federal government. the State gov
eminent, and either the county gov
eminent or the timber land owners.
The Working OF the Triple Alliance 81
The forest service Of the tnitee
States Department OF Agriculture is
helping the States TO protect them
selves against IRE by providing GER
payin gthe salaries of patrolmen and
watchmen. This money was appropri-
ated unde rthe Weeks law, and can
be spent only where the States them
selves are making an organized effort
TO prevent nres The State of Vir-
ginia Ia now able to take ADVANTAGE
Of this offer Of the Federal govern
ment, and through an agreement be-
tween the Secretary OF Agriculture,
at Washington, d. G.. and the State
forester of Virginia. at Charlottes-
Vile. Va, the sum Of $1,000 pet year
has be-n allotted To the State If Viz
ginia. TO be spent for IRE protection
under the direction OF the state
forester White the Legislature Of
Virginia at he time that /. made ;,:.o-
visi. II Tor tie establishment. of the
fire protective system by creating The
Office of State forester and providing
for the appointment ~ Slate forest
wardens. unfortunately failed to make
an appropriation to put the plan nito
erect, the work has been started ny
the Use of n sum OF money put at the
DISPOSAL Of the State forester by the
University of Virginia for general ed
ucational work throughout the STATE,
Thus there 10 $4,000 per year from the
Fede raj government now available for
FIRE protection, and this amount Will
undoubtedly be Increased as sooa as
The State Itself q appropriated larger
amount.
This sum. s3.oVe. il evidently too
small To cover the Sta.e thoroughly
hence il has beer decided that II shall
be used only i'm localities where there
is enough local interest in fire ,rotec-
ton to make either the county au-
thorities OF the timber land owaers
willing to go 70 al expense equal TO
that OF the government, This plan We
suits automatically III the money De
ing spent where il is The most headed
and where il Will do the most .ood
County Authorities May Appropriate,
Money For Fire Protection.
Tie county supervisors now have
legal authority 70 appropriate money
for purposes of fire projections. This
may take the form OF paying for the
service Of forest wardens and men en-
pleyed by them for the time actually
spent In fighting Are. or il may take