Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-04-19
STATE GOVERNORS
AND OTHERS ASKED
TO SAVE FORESTS
Fires During Past 5 Years Have
Devastated Vast Areas And
Occasioned Losses Amounting
To SS5.000,O00, Agricultural
Department Says
FOREST PROTECTION
WEEK, MAY % TO 2s

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Apr 10
Forest fires during the years ending
1920 devastated an area much greater
10 extent than that occupied by the
New England States. and occasioned
a loss Of more than SS5. 900 5000 Be
cause the destruction OF our forests
~ fire spells disaster unless the rate
Of burning is materially checked,
Henry c Wallace. Secretary OF Agri-
culture. has just written the COVER
nors OF all States requesting their co
operation in the Nationwide obsery-
ance OF Forest Protection Week. May
% 10 2S. recently proclaimed by Presi-
dent Harding In this letter Wallace
urges the governors 10 set apart this
week Tor the purpose OF such educa-
tional and instructive exercises as
shall bring TO the people the serious
effects OF the present unnecessary
waste by forest fires.
Human Agencies Responsible
Human agencies. statistics show
were responsible for about so per cent
OF the 100000 forest fires which oc-
Cured in the United States during the
past 5 years: and could have been
prevented by care and vigilance on the
part Of citizens In addition TO grow
ing timber and settlers homes de-
stroyed there was sometimes a heavy
loss OF life. as in the great Mime
Gr1 - .,.h. a..
persons were either burned to death
or suifocated.
This forest protection week move
ment originated on the Pacific Coast
in 1920: was proclaimed by a number
of governors in the West. and general
~ observed by citizens of various
States. This year the importance OF
national forest protection was brought
TO the Secretary's attention by che
Forest Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture with the
request that the matter be laid before
the President for consideration.
Seek State Foresters Aid
- Cooperation in this movement is ex-
pected from State foresters. CONNER
cial and business organizations. edu- |
cational institutions. societies. and in
dividuals interested i'm the preserva-
ton OF our national timber resources |
The Secretary OF Agriculture has writ |
ten 10 the national presidents of the |
Kiwanis, Rotary, American Automo-
bile Association and other large COM
mercial clubs. Boy Scouts of America
and to the president general of the |
Daughters of the American Revolution |
asking that they exert influence to
have their organizations bring before |
the people of this country the serious
effects of the present unnecessary
waste by forest fires.
Is OF Vital Importance
An excerpt from the letter of the |
Secretary to governors is as follows:
Adequate provision for the safe |
guarding and renewal of our forests |
is OF vital Importance to the Nation
The magnitude OF the area burned |
over during this period, 56.4SS.00C
acres. is startling; it represents an
area greater than that occupied by the
state OF Utah. OF the 100000 fires
that occurred over so per cent were
due to human agencies. and coul6
have been prevented by care and vigil
ance on the part of citizens Loss OF
life was not infrequent. as in the
Minnesota disaster of 1918. where
nearly thousand persons were
either burned to death or suffocated
In detecting and suppressing forest
fires the Forest Service of this depart
ment spends over million dollars
each year. and States and private in
dividuals an even greater sum.
Il realize that your interest in this
matter is as great a smy own. and am
sure YOU will do everything YOU can to
bring the Presidents proclamation
conspicuously to the attention of your
people
CITV INVITES Ribs