Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-25

Indian Township, Washington county,
last week they had occasion to test
the workings and efficiency Of the for
est fire patrol and lookout system in
the big lumber districts of the south
eastern part of the State.
After passing through three counties
on the long ride from Augusta the
great lumber regions were reached
those in the vicinity of Mopang lake in
Washington county, while observa-
tons were made as to the possibilities
of fire in the Beddington region and
that part of the country lying between
Beddngton and Aurora, in Hancock
county.
Commissioner Colby is vitality inter-
ested in the prosecution of the Slash
Law. the one piece of legislation that
promises more than anything else to
help solve the problem of saving the
forests from fire. Several chief fire
wardens were interviewed along the
route and the reports submitted to the
commissioner showed that the town
and county officials manifest a CO.
operate disposition in the matter of
systematically disposing of the
slash" along side of the road
Mr.. Colby found the territory visited
in very dry condition and in many
instances much anxiety was felt, and
early rains would bring much relief as
the dry slash" and brake that lined
the roadsides provide excellent ma
te,ial for fire which might be start
Cd from a match, cigarette or cigar
hutt carelessly and thoughtlessly
thrown from some passing vehicle.
Several instances where "lookouts'
were called from the telephones of the
Forestry service along the roads. quick
response was made, thus attesting to
the alertness OF the men in the look
out towers on the mountains. In one
instance where long climb was made
TO the station on the big hill at Wes-
ley several stations could be seen with
ley several stations could be seen on
different mountains that circled the
big timber tracts bordering en- Chain,
Long and Bog lakes.
Here a station that was separated by
two plantations was called by tele-
phone, the voices being plainly audible
in no less effort than that used in an
lntor-offico service in the city.
The lookout in this years service
were selected from the best material
available. most of them being young
men thoroughly familiar with life in
the woods and display great amount
~ interest in their work.
Some of the most beautiful country
in the State was passed through blythe
party on their way to Indian Town
ship. From Eddington, through to the
last stop at the surveyors camp in the
heart of the woods which leads off the
old military road. running to Houlton
through the township, it was one grand
Kaleidoscope Of foliage which had re-
ceivcd an carly call from Jack Frost
and naples, young oaks, sumachs
and white birch We'd with each other
for recognition in the splendor OF Au-
tumn. The silvery lakes nesting in
the low narrow tracts surrounding the
hills and mountains, the long stretch
cs of road through woods and over
hills and down step inclines that call
for skillfut handling Of the stearing
gear of a heavy touring car: a long
ride over the air line which takes in
the Mares Back" after leaving Am
herst, affords the sensation eXperi-
cr"ed while riding on the scenic rail-
way at concy Island, although much
more interesting and realistic Here
this wonderful geological study fills YOU
with amazement as YOU ride along this
great saw-tooth elevations with wide
stretC he's Of marsh land on both sides
and occasional boulders of mammoth
proportion are seen strewn over the
low land as evidence Of earth up
heavals in the early ages when such
things were common.
One OF the predomnating features
or the entire trip was the excellent
condition of the roads which speaks
volumes for the towns maintaining
them and the great knowledge of the
builders. men who discard the scienti-
fc theory of road building and build
them as only the natural road builder
knows how. When the tenderfoot
travels through a country he thinks
every minute will bring him to a
point where corduroy roads will have
TO he travelled. he is delightfully."- dis
appointed to find nice. smooth, gray
eled. browning roads over which a
! heavy car can find smooth sailing for
long stretches.
When you hear Colby and violette
A. tPiNtISiIE dDtuI the IlTP IOOkOulS and
wardens. etc, and they use such words
rs pocamoonshine. Musquash, Pokum-
kns and lot of other queer words
don't think they are talking the tribal
tongue Of some nearby Indian settle
mont because they are referring to
some place on the map where the State
maintains observation towers and en-
ploys fire wardens.
The party finally arrived at the sur
veyors camp. which is in charge of c.
G. stewart, an expert woodsman and
surveyor. assisted by c. A. Spaulding
both Of Bingham, long in the employ
81 Mr.. Colby The crew consists OF
five men besides A. P. Belmore Of
Princeton who is much interested ir
the work and lends valuable assist
ance in the work of surveying and es-
timating the only township the State
Of Maine now owns.
In conversation with members Of the
crew after supper was disposed OF
some wonderfully interesting stories
were told of hunting big game within
hailing distance of the camp. Al
night when all retired, the door of the
camp was left open and all travelling
bags were put in chairs or on tables
n - Rsr,- 1.-l e.