The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-05-14

lions of dollars annually.
One OF the twelve special cars has
been fitted up with the complete
equipment used in protecting the
forests. and accompanying the ex-
blbit are expert government en-
ployes who have for years been en-
gagged in this work The means by
which the danger of fires is overcome
and the equipment used In patrolling
the timberlands are shown on the
train, the various appliances being in
working order.
Tie national forests OF the United
States are safeguarded by n corps of
patrolmen constantly on duty to de-
tcct fires and stamp them out as
quickly as possible. The force is as
I fully equipped as are city iremen
and are provided with the necessary
apparatus for checking the spread
Of flames. The patrolmen cover a
prescribed area on foot and horse
back, on speeders and motorcycles
and In automobiles and launches.
Signal stations are established In
the forests and the patrolmcn report
10 a central station. These stations
are known as lookouts, which are
fitted up with field glasses, maps and
instruments for locating fires; and
when contlagrations are discovered
these lookouts summon fire compan-
les, which are stationed throughout
the forests The lookouts are con-
structed OF steel, with glass encase-
ment to protect them against de-
structions.
In the national forests are 10000
miles of telephone lines connecting
tie patrolling forces and fire COM
ranies with central stations. A spe-
cial system of signals is installed for
communication by the patrolling
forces at night The equipment for
lighting fires in the national forests
cost the government s5,000.0O0. This
embraces $500 miles Of constructed
road and $4,000 miles of trail main
/ tanned by the government to insure
I the safety Of timber.
While the protection OF the forests
/ IS the paramount consideration 10
the government force. barren areas
teen improved and trees have neen
planted to take care of the lumber
requirements of the future. This
! also removes much of the danger to
l.:e from snowslides.
In the United States 1900 cities
and towns obtain their water sup
ply from the national forests AMI the
patrol service is entrusted with pre-.
venting contamination. Predatory
animals are destroyed by the thou
sands IN the national forest. the pub.
lie is protected against rabies so pre-
yalent among this class OF animals
and contagious diseases among stock
Grazing on forest preserves are Grad
icated.
United States Army.
In one section OF the car devoted
Il the army is complete arrange.
ment OF the uniforms and oth~'
equipment of the troops. A feature
If the exhibit which attracts specla,
notice is the mask being used by the
soldiers of the European armies
lighting where poisonous gases are
used. Officers of the army are In
charge TO explain all the details Of
the military acCoutrements. includ
ing the medical equipment, surgica
Instruments. etc. Physicians will
find much to interest them in thi.
section OF the exhibit
The engineering branch OF tht
army is OF further interest to engf
neers and other professional mer
concerned in the study OF military
tactics. An engineering officer Of
the army is in charge to furnish de.
tails concerning the work OF con.
siructing defenses. bridge etc, ant
arranging for the advance and fol
low-up work incident to campaigns
General invitations have been OK
Cnded to members Of the variou.
engineering societies and member.
OF all branches Of the profession t
study the Importance OF the WORT
performed by the engineering corps
Army officers place great depend
ence in the scientific knowledg OF thu
large body of engineers engaged II
various lines OF activity Throughout
the country. II has been found. ac
cordlng to these officials. that me1