The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-24

the form of paying for patrol rsrk.
In nearly ali States which hAvp IRE
protective systems. and II II evidently
essential to Thoroughly effsctive sys-
tam. and will undoubtedly be In use
In most or all Of the counties OF Vtr-
ginia within few years. but IN the
meantime q beginning should hc made
by the employment Of patro'mst.
such men work on a sirnthty basis
only during the dangerous seasons.
particularly in tho spring and rail-,
usually about four months per year,
depending upon the dryness OF the
season. II the county author4tl vii!
pay the salaries Of SUCH patrolmen for
one-ha!f Of their time. they can be
paid for tho other half Of their time
by the United States government. AND
an offer to this effect is made to the
county authorities by the state FOR
ester, as long as the government money
holds out. These men would be select
ed and appointed by tho State for
ester with the advice OF the county
supervisors and other persons inter
ested. and would be local men. thor.
oughly familiar with their district and
widely acquainted in the county. Their
appointment would be made on the
basis OF ef11eiency alone. and expert
encs has proved that capable and re-
liable men can be secured for this
work II Is the duty of such men ~
travel throughout their district during
the dry SEASONS. being constantly oil
the lookout for fires, hghting any that
they discover, posting warning no
tees. explaining the laws to every
body, and csutioning those who may
be careless.
IA r,f
timber land are owned by individuals
or corporations tho assistance Of the
State and government is extended TO
such owners In the same way as to
the county supervisors. Another plan
which is already In force In Southwest
Virginia, Is as follows: Tine State for.
ester appoints patrolmen, who arc
paid entirely by the Federal govern
ment. and given districts including
the holdings OF the lanj owners or
an association of land owners who
cooperate by preparing for each IRE
season by constructing In advance
thereof such permanent improvements
as may be most needed to make the
work more effective such NJ Are lines,
trails lookout stations. etc. The SUM
to be spent on such work must equal
at least two month"; salaries for tia
pAtrolmen for each fire season. II II
believed that the construction of such
improve rents 10 we'll worth the cost,
and. in fact. they are under most cir
cumstanceS. in the mountains. abso-
lutely necessary In oroer to secure a
really effective system which will not
fall down in the occasional very dry
season. Ordinarily a patrolmAn can
covxr approximately $4,000 or 80 DOE
acres OF mountain land. depending
upon the character OF tho country and
the roads. trails, etc, Owners OF
mountain land are strongly advised 10
form fre protective associations.
WHICH have many obvious ADVANTAGES
over each land owner working alone.
Many such associations have been in
operation in Northern and western
States for years and many others have
recently been organized in the adjoin-
ing States Of West Virginia. Kentucky
and North Carolina The Assessments
Of thess associations for Ore protec-
tion work have averaged from one
half a cent to two cents per acre per
year. This amount is low in proper
ton to the value received. but 1t 10 be-
lieved that II can be still further re-
duced when the most important trails,
lookout stations. etc. have been CON
structed. and when the people living
in the woods and hunting there. etc.
have been taught by the pAtrolnreh
TO be careful with fire.
For further information address the
State forester at Charlottesville. Va.
-----------------
Why u. y. Gonasitution Failed.
The gentlemen who we're respcnai-
Bile for the framing of the rejected
constitution of New York ifiisconceived
the nature OF their task From the be-
ginning their attention was fastened
not upon public opinion and the voters,
but upon their fellow delegates Their
assumption WAS that II they could Sc
cure for their reforms the support Of
their party associates in the conyAn-
ton without mourning too much hos
.iil.y from their party opponents they
would have little diAicuity i'll carry
Ing along With them a sufficient ma
jority Of the voters. They made con-
seauentiy every necessary concession
TO the reluctant members OF their own
party. and succeeded thereby in getting
their proposals. accepted by a large
majority of the convention: but they
paid heavily for their success.
The party machines would have been
coa4faittinH suicide in case they had
Loyalty supported the revised and re.
isctsd constitution. They are the Gre
ators and the beneac.artes of the
Venezuelan representative system, 80
candidly and SO eloanently condemned
BY Mr.. Root. The attempt to secure
any but insincere and hypocritai sap
port from them Was hopeless from the
start. They will always either openly
or coyerriy oppose plans OF admins.
trative reorganization which seek to
substitute . responsible o;ficiai leader
ship for their won irresponsible and
Iucratice domination of state politics
The New Republic.