The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-25
FOREST MEASURES
MAY NOT Be PASSED.
House Considers Bill But 1t
Has Not Been Taken
Up In Senate.

CHARLESTON, w. Va. Feb. 9S.-
I Forestry legislation at this session
: OF the Legislature will fall unless
through public demand, the Thomp.
son forestry bill Is placed OF the cal.
endar OF the senate during this week.
Although the bill passed the house
the latter part OF last week with
scarcely any opposition, such merl.
tori0Hs legislation may fail because
OF the fact that under the rules OF
both houses no general legislation can
be considered after the fortieth day
OF the scssion-last Saturday It
is within the province, however, Of
either house 10 change It's rules and
| It Is possible that II there is suffi.
! Client demand the Thompson bill may
be restored TO tho senate calendar
and aeted up by the senate this week
along with the fish and game bill.
The revenue with which TO carry out
the provisions of the forestry bill will
have TO come from the proceeds OF
. hunters license tax, II provision
Ia inserted in the fish and game bill.
That provision was omitted from the
bill as 1t passed the house. State
Game and Forest Warden ]. a.
ViQuesney Is confident, however, that
the rules aud calendar committee OF
the senate will restore both the bills
referred to, 10 the calendar so that
there will be some action on these
measures during the present session.
The chief executive of the state has
pointed out the imperative necessity
Qfrts IAu oil ~
lature has shown disposition to pro-
tect the state forests by passing a
measure destined TO accomplish that
protection, but lack OF time may re.
suit In the total defeat OF all forestry
legislation unless steps are taken to
act on the forestry bill as n matter
OF emergency legislation. Advocates
OF such legislation believe the need
for revision OF the forestry laws OF
the. state Is such matter OF impera.
tive necessity II the timbered lands OF
the state are to be saved from further
destruction that 1t may very properly
be classed as emergency legislation
and that II that Is made plain enough
to the senate by those who recognize
the need for such legislation. It will
hpt ue ulltiCult " secure Hnhl aCtlUl
on the Thompson bill.
The forest acreage OF the state has
been greatly depleted through forest
fires, year. after year, the beginning
OF which has been found to be care.
lesBness. Tho Thompson bill seeks
to correct that by making the penalty
for wilful and malicious setting out
OF fires more severe than II has been
and at the, same time seeks to compel
railroads to be more careful and TO
take the proper precautions against
setting fire 10 forests traversed by
trains. A, good deal Of interest has
been manifested in forestry legisla.
tion during the session and II has
done much toward leading the legis.
lature to act favorably upon the bill
introduced TO strengthen the lay and
provide adequate protection against
recurrence OF those hres which In the
past have wrought such great dam
age 10 property throughout the state.
Further public interest is required in
order TO secure the final passage OF
the bill through the legislature. It
would be most unfortunate. In the
opinion Of those who have taken so
much interest In the matter, II
through lack OF day or so all such
Legislation should fall
II the proper interest Ia taken, how.
ever,,it is believed that the Thompson
bill may yet be enacted into law.
4