The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1918-11-13

ces had been done. to- prevent the
calamity, and that it in all probable
ity would have been prevented if
the necessary funds had not been re-
fused for the organization and main
tenance Of an adequate force of fire
fighters. The Public Safety Commits
sion had done all it could do in, the
premises and thanks to it's effective
cooperation many running fires have
been checked this fall. But nothing
short of comprehensive system of
fire protection will avail to forestall
destruction of life and property in
the forest regions Of the state. The
question is up to the people, They
are the rulers and theirs is the re-
sponsibility. Let every voter read
and read again Mr.. Cox's instructive
statement, which here follows in.
full:
First, with reference to appropri-
| ations asked for and those granted
during the legislative sessions since
1911, at which session the Forest
Service was created, with funds of
$4,000 per year for 1912 and 1913.
Session Of 1913: Fund asked for,
$4,000 per year; fund appropriated
$4,000 per year.
Session Of 1915: Fund asked, $780,
per year; fund appropriated $4,000
per year.
Session of 1917: Fund asked $780,
600 per year (reduced by forestry
board to $1oo,ooo); fund appropriate
ed $4,000 per year; also asked 49,
600 fire emergency for remainder of
fiscal year 1917, and it was appro-
priated. ( :
We have also urged the appropria-
ton of 100000 or more as an en-
Urgency fire fund to be expended
only with the approval of the Gov
ernor, or with such other check as
the legislative might provide.
Gov. Eberhart, Gov. Hammond and
Gov. Burnquist have all consistently
urged increases in our appropria-
tions, and Gov. Burnquist went fur
Their and recommended an emergency
fund of 100000 which was not
granted.
What made it comparatively easy
for the recent catastrophe to occur
was the lack of large enough train
ed force in the field to catch fires in
their incipiency, to punish the part
les setting them and to compel
prompt and effective work extin-
gushing fires started by settlers,
woods workers, railroads, automobile
tourists, and road contractors. We
have frequently told legislative COM
mitteemen that with the funds
available we were, able to give the
forest country only 40 per cent
fire protection.
AS a means Of supplementing the
efforts of the rangers, and in a mea-
sure to cover weakness in the for
est law, l asked the Commission Of
Public Safety to issue an order pro-
hbltlng the setting of fires, except
under permit of forest officers, with
in certain dates. Accordingly, orders
numbered 5, 9, 90 and 80 were issued
oy the Commission and posted wide
ly throughout the northern half Of
the state. Our rangers have made
numerous arrests and obtained quite
number of convictions of persons
disregarding these orders. In this
and other respects the cooperation
OF the Commission of Public Safety
has been exceedingly valuable.
Following a fall and spring with
many running fires, which drained
our fund, we were forced to call for
financial aid from the Public Safety
Commission and the federal govern.
ment. The former paid fire expenses
to the extent Of more than $4,000
and the latter increased our allot-.
ment by $4,000. ~ ~. Il
These running fires are different.
from the shw-burning peat fires
with which we have had to contend
at practically all seasons, u except
mid mid winter. Some, in fact, continue
to burn the year around. The CON
troll and exiting punishment Of peat
fires has Of necessity been put 10
mainly to the local authorities.
# this kind Of fire Is to Be hand
led at all successfully BY the state.
there must be complete field force
to prevent the setting Of such fires.
or to extinguish them when small.
When well abished and burning
extensively il open fbogs 81 maj shes,
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