Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-07

in guarding and protecting the
sources of water supply for our
urban communities and in such spe-
cial Investigations as their training
and competency fit them to under
take. The chief of this force is
now and for a year has been in the
National Army. In his absence Cap
tain George F. Lumb has had charge
of the force and has directed 1t
most capably and efficiently.
with our entire National Guard
out of the State and in Federal serv
ice on the Mexican border and later
in France, the care of life and prop
erty in Pennsylvania devolved upon
this force. The situation was further
rendered critical by reason of the
fact that many of our men, due to
their especial qualifications, were
authorized to serve the national gov
ernment in the secret service. In
the crisis of this concern the infiu-
enza epidemic swept the state. Seven
of the force gave their lives heroic
ally and many others were sore
stricken. The force was used large
ly to alleviate conditions. They did
these duties commandingly well.
There are now siXty-four vacancies
on the force, due to the needs OF
the national government and the
inadequate compensation. The
former situation will soon correct
itself; the latter Is yours to correct.
l recommend an increased compen-
sation for this splendid force and
provision for increasing its contin-
gent of men.
Forestry
During this administration the
State has added to its forest lands
by purchase 26,055 acres. The total
acreage is 1,029.O23. The average
cost of State lands is $2.27 per acre.
The total cost to date is S2,342,s1S,
and a conservative estimate of the
value of these lands is $10.575,OOO.
The department has 292 miles of
telephone lines. $500 miles of roads,
100000 acres geographically sur
veyed and 31,534,556 trees planted.
3s4 camps were occupied free by the
people and 41S were leased. The
number of persons using this great
public domain is exceedingly small;
only about $500 in all. I suggest
pamphlet explaining the free use
of these lands and displaying some
of their scenic splendor be issued
and freely sent over the State. Such
a pamphlet might we'll be the basis
of an Arbor Day proclamation.
Highways
'"The people of Pennsylvania four
years ago decisively declined to
authorize bond issue for the con-
struction of highways. The same
people have just as decisively, in the
late election authorized such a bond
issue. This is unquestionably a
vote of confidence in the work of
the highway department, and this
confidence is well placed. The i'm
provement of our highways from
current revenues has been one of
the efnotable services rendered all the
people. The Executive has person.
ally taken great interest in the
highway problem and in co-opera-
ton with the very efficient head of
the department did year by year,
until the war intervened, go over
the State with many interested
friends Inspecting the roads, meet
ing the people and by personal ex-
planatien and public address estab-
fishing In the public mind the mean
ing and value of good roads. To-day
our people have easy access to coun-
ty seats and to the great markets.
Tourists as we'll as our own people
find good roads an incentive to
view the many matchless miles of
scenic splendor with which Penn
syivania Is SO richly blessed"
THE sum received for automo-
bile licenses mounts year by year.
Heavy trucks are running many
miles of highway. They should be
obliged to pay O larger fee for
license and all license fees should be
used exclusively for maintenance as
now they are used. These fees
should not be diverted to the pay
ment OF interest and sinking fund