Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-03-11
FORESTRY WORK HARD HIT
BY GOVERNOR HATFIELD.
Bill Strengthening the Laws Passed
BY the Legislature Cut Appropria-
tions Sa That It's Effectiveness A.
mounts to Nothing.


the Thompson Forestry bill revising
and strengthening the forestry laws
Of the state was passed by the SEN
ate in the closing hours Of the regular
session Of the legislature, the forest
ry work was hard hit when the Gov
ernor in pairing down appropriations
vetoed the item of the general appro-
priation bill setting aside $4,000
each year with which to come within
the requirements of the Weeks law
providing a like amount from the
Federal government. The Federal APP
preparation is only available in case
the state appropriates similar a.
mount. Should there be no money a.
valuable to enable West Virginia to
meet the requirements of the Federal
law, protection to West Virginia for
ests will cease and the patrolmen
paid by the U. S. Government will be
taken off their routes.
In all quarters it is regarded as a
pity that the forestry department had
to suffer, as the appropriation of $10,-
600 each year by the state meant re-
ally twice that mach to the state
through making the Federal appro-
priation under the Weeks law avail
able. The veto of the item in ques-
ton is especially regretted coming
just at time when the system of
forestry protection was being well es-
tabIished and at time when legis-
lative enactment gave promise of
conserving very important resource
of the state, after much agitation and
hard work on the part of those who
were interested in the preservation of
the forests of the state.
Tangible results were expected
from the passage Of the Thompson
bill with its many features tending
place West Virginia on the same
ane occupied by other states who
I've devoted attention to the subject
forest protection. The bill as it
ssed provides for a competent, ex
.ienced forester who is to give his
B1tire time to supervising the work
Of forest conservation. With thirteen
lookout stations and an experienced
corps Of men it will be possible for
the forester when appointed to
achieve splendid results in safeguard
ing the woods of the state against
fire or any other form of destruction.
Through legislative enactment it will
be possible for the state forest war
den and the forester to more effect
lively guard against the sources OF
previous destruction, as under the
provisions of the Thompson bill it
will be felony to willfully and mali
ciously set out fires. That in the past
has been the principal cause for wide
spread destruction, as there has been
no system of patrol and protection.
Even disregard of the ordinary pre-
cautions in allowing camp fires to
spread over larger areas IS made
more serious matter. Under the for
estry measure as it passed both
houses, the danger of starting forest
fires through carelessness in clearing
off lands by burning the brush will
,be minimized. Inadequate screens
on locomotives in the past as well as
failure to keep railroad rights of way
cleared of brush and infamalbe mat
ter have resulted in destructive fires.
That will be refnedied to very great
extent under the terms of the Thomp-
son bill for the forestry department
will be in position to compel COM
plaince with the law and to determine
whether the proper steps are being
taken by the railroads to guard a
gainst the spread of fire through
sparks or negligence on the part of
employees.
But the railroads operating in the
tipbered regions of West Virginia
hax e agreed to cooperate to the full
est extent with the officials in charge
Of forest protection. F. M. Glenn, of
Tucker-co., who has been supervising
the forestry work held conference
lass week = tbs East with the Pres
ident Of the B. & o. and western
Maryland system and each official
had agreed in furtherance of the for
estry service to direct that the rights
of way along both roads be cleaned
twice year.
Commenting on the work being
done Mr.. Glenn says, "The Govern
ment is helping US to greater ex-
tent than the majority of persons re-
aiize. For instance, it pays the sala-
ri4s Of the men who man the lookout
factions throughout the mountainous
nions. Through the efforts of J.. A.
Nuesney. state forest, game and