West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-11
For Forest Protection
(From James w. weir.)


CHARLESTON, w. Va. Feb. g.
Profiting by the experience OF other
states and by the lessons learned
in this state during the last two years
West Virginia seems likely to perfect
its system OF forest protection and
conservation, so as to preserve from
further destruction. one of it's most
valuable resources-its forests OF fine
timber. Impetus was given to the
move at the outset of the present ses-
sion of the legislature by the COVER
nor OF the state in his biennial mes
sage To the law-making body in which
he set forth the fact that the forest
area of West Virginia had been re-
duced from fifteen and three -fourths
millions of forest acreage to less than
one and a half millions and IL would
be absolutely necessary for the legis-
lature to take steps TO strengthen the
laws OF the state SO as to better pro-
tect the forests. In one year in West
Virginia the loss from forest fire was
S5.997 $500. Since that time during
the operation OF law destined to af-
ford better protection the loss has
been only one-tenth. but this has been
partly accomplished through the eff
forts of the Central West Virginia
their own funds have co-operated with
the Federal and state governments in
establishing a system of patrol which
covers more than thirteen counties.
The federal government is ready to
cooperate with West Virginia in all
measures looking to the better pro-
lection of West Virginia forests but
in order TO make such cooperation
possible 1t will be necessary for the
legislature TO take the proper steps
toward enacting laws which embody
advanced thought on this subject.
In conformity with the governors
recommendations and responsive to
an increasing public sentiment for
better forest laws the Hon. Geo. B.
Thompson, of Tucker county, a prac-
teal lumber operator OF long exper-
fence, has introduced a bill in the
House of Delegates in which are in
corporated numerous provisions
which will make a fire protection sys-
tenn in West Virginia most effective.
The passage of the Thompson bill de-
An "A ha N,
lie sentiment which exists for such a
measure In the past the Indifference
OF the public TO the great loss being
sustained by the state through forest
fires and the same indifierences to-
ward any proposed legislation to cor
rect such state OF Affairs has re-
tarded the development of a proper
fire fighting system either through
the enactment of laws or in other
ways. The public has never seemed
fully to realize until within the last
few years just what the fires which
ragged every year meant in the loss OF
values, values forever destroyed, but
with realization of that loss and an
appreciation of what has been done
on small scale toward better forest
protection, sentiment has been
awakened to a very great extent. If
such sentiment makes itself felt at the
present session of the legislature, the
state will be in position to preserve
and encourage a very important in
dustry and to prevent the destruction
of very important resource.
Experience having shown that the
penalty for deliberately and wilfully
setting out fires is not severe enough,
the Thompson bill will make IL fell
ony to start such fires which after
wards spread and entail large losses.
AS a further move toward strengthen
ing the law the Thompson bill will
place the protection of the forests In
the hands of forester who shall be
appointed for his fitness, education
and training and not because of any
political influence and to him will be
entrusted the organization for over
coming fire losses.
Practically every other state in the
union has adopted some method of
dealing with forest fires. Some
through politics have seen their for
est protection destroyed but as the
forests become scarcer and scarcer.
other states hav adopted methods of
preserving resources which i'm few
yearss will have been exhausted.
West Virginia with limited means has
done something towards remedying
the laxity of the past but there is still
much to be done, IL the forests and
the soil and the sources of water sup
ply are TO be cared for
II You Want TO BE Loved