Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-09

visited and thoroughly looked over by
one Of them.
Mr.. vioiette went as far on his
recent trip as Grafton. where he
looked after the work of erection of a
lookout tower on Speckles mountain.
This is a 36-foot steel structure Of
latest design and will be on one of the
highest mountains in Maine and one
of the hardest to climb. It has no
roadways and every bit Of the ma
terial entering into the construction
of the tower has to be carried on the
backs of the men, trip of about q
hours duration. AS this material
weighs about $500 pounds. it will
mean some backaches.
Henry D. Cooper Of Augusta is the
Waterman at this station. already on
duty. The station, besides covering
for range of vision the southern part
of Franklin county and the central
part of Oxford county. takes in a
large part of New Hampshire, with
which Maine has a cooperative ar
rangement.
The ground at the time of Mr.. Vio-
lette's visit was very dry in that en-
tire section, more so than for years.
And, speaking Of that condition else
where, he said that rain had fallen
during part of last week in the north
ern part of the State, relieving the
situation there, and that the worst
conditions now existed in the west
ern part.
I The danger from forest fires had
E,,%
year SO far been fortunate. 1t has
been noticeable that Washington
county. which has formerly had
more fires than any other section, has
this year had none to amount to any
!! thing. thine to rap woody. The
fire section this year has been the
! worst in the region from Millinocket
upward to Ashland and at least 81
! per cent. of the fires there was due
to local fishermen and their care
| iessness. The rest of the State has
been comparatively free from fires.
| The heaviest fire expense was for a
blaze in Chase Stream township,
caused by local fishermen. where it
cost about $1,000 or so to subdue it
| and where the property loss was re-
| ported at about $500.
| The only serious fire along the
! boundary line was one at Boundary
lake. which spread across from the
! Canadian side. away up in the ex-
1 IRENE northwestern peak of the
! State.
! Both the commissioner and the
| deputy are warm in their expressions
concerning the admirable condition
| of the warden service, which they
say has never been equalled in
| Maine. The interest is sharp. the
| lines of communication are better
! than ever, having been extended and
| improved, every foot having been in
| spected by an experienced telephone
! man. and one of the best features.
! the perfect understanding with and
! cooperation of the operators. who to
. = man are willing to do q little more
! than their share in protecting the
/ valuable forests of Maine from fires
and other dangers.
The telephone connections Of the
! Forestry District now include about
| 900 miles. some $50 miles of new tele-
phone wire having been added this
year. This service. with its 300-odd
instruments gives pretty wide
radius of communication for the Of
! flee and it's wardens and lookouts.
One valuable addition to this line
of communication is the new line of
connections-about % miles-be-
tween the Allagash country and the
Chesuncook region. which permits
direct contact by wire from Grant
! Farm to Fort Kent. A lookout or
! patrolman before the installation of
| this line. If he discovered fire in the
Allagash or Chesuncook regions,
could not call help from the other
! sections, on account of no lines, but
now he can get help from the nearest
| point and more men from farther
away. if they should be needed.
The equipment with which the for
| estry service is carried on is some
what larger than most or even many
people realize. In round numbers
about 100000 is its value. Figure up
seven automobiles for the use of the