The Irish standard., 1918-10-19
is MINNESOTA BACKWARD IN FOREST
CONSERVATION2

IN the awful holocaust OF Saturday Sunday last
Minnesota has experienced the greatest disaster
history 1t is dimensions as also to constitute
national calamity Both state and nation will many
years to come feel the effects of the destruction
many precious human lives and quantities
timber and other property The material losses can,
be replaced process of time but the hun
dreds OF men, women and children who have suddenly
made the victims of the overwhelming confagraon
sttute permanent bereavement to state country.
The sparsey settled district could but ill
even smaller moiety of it's thrifty. and enter.
prsing population Every home and every every
life OF those destroyed valuable asset to the
muny contributing in greater smaller degree to the
public veal especially at time when the nation is
charged with the duty of conserving the entire
resources of and materials
It, therefore, should become public duty ascertain
the causes of this catastrophe with taking pre-
Ventlve measures against similar
stated that the State Legislature has, during the last two
sessions been extremely parsimonious appropriating
moneys to foreend against such devastation of the great
timber areas OF the north country The appropriations
patrol work. is said have been cut down from $4,000
$4,000 during the years-surely penny wise
and pound foolish policy in the light the happenings
OF the past week. In other states particularly in the east
where the forest Of much less
than those of Minnesota the Of this policy
has been wisely adopted during past decade Under
the propaganda conducted by Mr.. Pnchot, Pennsyl-
vania and emphasized frequently by former President
Roosevelt states have adopted precautionary meas
ures against such accidental happenings Adequate pa
trolling forces have been provided the policing of the
wooded areas and the prompt discovery of suppress
sion OF forest fires The movies have been effectively
extensively used to disseminate public information along
the lines of prevention and conservation The State ap
preparations for this policy of been made
adequate to the needs of the situation The pre-
vention has been preferred rather the pound or
rather pounds of Under the general depart
ments Of administration included provisions for re-
forestaton which have reached remarkable degree
development since Mr. Pnchot directed public attention
to the tremendous ARISING Individual and civil
negligence of these important national resources
1t is to be greatly regretted that the awmakng bodies
OF the State of and the several municipalities of
State have not kept abreast older communities
in this regard and have failed to apprehend mpor-
lance of the matter in respect present and
future needs of the nation.
Such caamities in former days were looked upon az
inevitable accidents In the law and courts they were
spoken of actus DEL of God designation which
implied the heplessness of humanity forefend against
them But in the of plaques other epidemcs
has been found that intelligent prophyactic
may eradicate them altogether mitigate
horrors to mankind Persistent study forehought and
on the part of the wrought
ders in the scientific schemes prevention
such sources of danger to life property Intelligent
and faithful cooperation the of the people be
had to out such with efficiency thor
oughness All concerned in the general welfare and
each individual should regard himself watchfu guard
ian of the public safety and resources
It's to be earnestly hoped that the Legislature viii
catastrophe has sorey emphasized vast importance
in respect both to the public safety the material re-
sources Of the State and nation