The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-03-07
F0RESS WORK
IN The STAT
IS HARD HIT
In Pairing down Appropriation,
Governor Hatfield Vetoes
Thompson Bill.

s Il ( III ( z 4 ( : i ]
CHARLESTON, Mar. 6-Though the
Thompson forestry bill revising and
strengthening the forestry laws OF the (
state was passed by the senate in the /
closing hours OF the regular session
of the legislature, the forestry work
was hard hit when the governor in /
pairing down appropriations vetoed
the item or the general appropriation
bill setting aside $4,000 each year
with which TO come within tie re-i
quirements Of the Weeks law pro-
viding a like amount from the fed
eral government The federal appro-
priation is only available in case the
state appropriates a similar amount. l
Should there be no money available
TO enable West Virginia to meet the
requirements Of the federal law, pro-
lection to West Virginia forests will
cease and the patrolmen paid by the
United States government will be TAX
zen OF their routes.
In all quarters it Isl regarded as al
pity That the forestry department had
to suffer, as the appropriation of
$40 900 each year by the state meant
really twice that much to the state
through making the federal appro-i
priation under the Weeks law avail
able The veto Of the item in ques-
Just at a time when the system or
forestry protection was being well es-
tablfshed and at time when legis-
latiye enactment gave promise OF Con-
serving very important resource OF
the state, after much agitation and
hard work on the part of those whoi
were interested in the preservation
of the forests of the state.
Results We're Expected.
Tangible results were expected from
the passage Of the Thompson bill with
its many features tending to place
West Virginia on the same plane oc-I
scupied by other states who have de-
voted attention to the subject of for
est protection The bill as it passed.
provides for competent, experienced
forester who is to give his entire time
to supervising the work of forest
conservation. With thirteen lookout
stations and an experienced corps Of
men it will be possible for the forest-E
er when appointed to achieve SPLEEN
did results in safeguarding the woods
of the state against fire or any other
form of destruction Through legis. |
latiye enactment it will be possible /
for the state forest warden and the
forester to- more iYelyg guard
against the sources Of previous de-
.struction, as under the provisions OF
the Thompson bill it will be felony
to wilfully and maliciously set. OUT
fires. That in the past has been the
principal cause for widespread de-
struction as there has been no SYSTEM
of patrol Of protection. Even a dis-I
regard Of the ordinary precautions inE
allowing camp fires to spread over a
larger area is made more serious
matter Under the forestry measured
as it passed both houses, the danger.E
of starting forest fires through care
1essness in clearing off lands by burn
ing the brush will he minimized. In-S
adequate screens on locomotives in#
the past as we'll as failure to keep
railroad right of Yayacleared Of brush
and infammable matter have resulted /
In destructive fires That will be-
remedied to very great extent un-
der the terms of the Thompson bill
for the forestry department. will be /
in position to compel compl lance
Will, TIL e law and to determine wheth
5er the proper steps are being taken!
by the railroads to guard against the
spread Of fire through sparks or negzf
3ligence on the part OF employees.
Railroads 10 Cooperate.
But the railroads operating in the
limb regions Of West Virginia
have agreed to cooperate to the FULL.
est extent with the Off Gals in. CHARGE
of forest protection NJ G. lem, OF I
Tucker country, who has been super
-