Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-23
Agent of State Fores-
try D e p a r t m e n t
Speaks on Tim e | y
Subject for Ameri-
can Forest Week


lection of the Maine forests was the
theme developed by Bryant 2. Jones,
agent in the State forestry depart
ment, before the Augusta Kiwanis
club at its weekly luncheon meeting
held Thursday noon at the Girls
Community clubhouse. It was a
timely subject for American Forest
Week and its presentation brought
home many important points, partic-
ularly in regard to the duty of all
good citizens to aid in the project Of
eliminating danger of forest con-
fagrations.
Pointing out the importance Of
forests to the Nation and how essen
tial they are to Maine, Mr.. Jones as
serted that they cover 7s percent of
the area of our State and nearly half
Of the farm land, so-called, Is wood
lot. "Over two-fifths of our capital
in the State is invested in wood US
ing industries" he said. "These in
dustries are for the most part scat
tered throughout the smaller towns
and villages and the $4O,000,000
which constitutes their pay roll Off,
en- forms the. chief support of the
community. These figures do not
include the printing and bookbinding
industries which depend upon paper
made almost wholly from wood pulp,
neither does it include the small
army of woodsmen necessary to get
the wood from the stump to the
MILL
Referring to the lumber that is
wasted through methods in build
ing and remanufacture, the speaker
asserted that it is suggested-and we
are rapidly approaching the situa-
ton where the supply will demand
that we practice economy and closer
utilization. He spoke of the various
insects and. fungus that attack the
trees, but stated that it is in the
preventing of fires that the coopera-
ton and help of the citizens can be
Of most assistance. There is enough
timber burned over every year in the
United States to build five room
houses for the entire population of a
city the size of San Francisco or
Washington, D. c. Eight out OF
every ten Of these fires are proven
table because they are due to care
lessness. Thirtyseve states have
forestry departments or correspond
ing agencies and Maine is we'll in the
foreground.
Maine Forest Fire Prevention
In 1909 the Maine Forestry Dis
trict was formed and comprised all of
the unincorporated towns or wild land
so-called. and all plantations" he
said. There was a provision in the
act whereby any town adjoining the
District might become a part of it by
a vote of tWo-thirds of it's inha bitants
and several towns have availed them
selves of this opportunity. There was
at ak of l IL mills levied on this land
and the resulting revenue which was
to be spent for forest protection and
conservation under direction of the
Forest Commissioner. This has since
been raised by various stages to 1-2
mills. For purposes of better man.
agement the area has been sub-divid-
ed into % districts which are under
the direct supervision of chief war
den who is responsible to the Forest
Commissioner for the patrolmen,
watchmen, and deputies in his dis
trict. He is also responsible for
telephone lines, tools and equipment,
and has charge of fire fighting when
the occasion arises. We have 67 look
out towers in the district and ap-
proXimately 1900 miles of telephone
lines besides tools and equipment
such as motor boats, trucks, canoes,
portable fire engines, and hose, SHOW
els, axes, pals, and camping wangan.
Outside of the Forestry District
fire suppression is almost wholly in
the hands OF the selectmen, the state
has erected several towers and keeps
Watchmen in them. 1t also provides
a slash inspector who sees to law en-
forcement and helps the selectmen
wherever possible. This system of
suppression is necessary and is the
f1rstt hing that must be established
but the old adage of an ounce of
prevention being worth a pound of
cure holds as good in forest protec-
ton as 1t does anywhere else, and II is
better prevention that we are trying
to get the public to help us with. If
every one would not only be careful
with their own fires and smoking
materials when In the woods, but
would also caution others to do the
same, many serious fires and much
needless waste would be prevented. -
Mr.. Jones remarks setting forth
clearly the important work of the
Maine Forestry Service, We're accord
ed hearty applause. The speaker
was introduced by the president of
the club, Frank E. Mace, former
state Forest commissioner. who COM
mended observance of American For
est Week sanctioned by President
Collidge and Goveror Brewster.
State Forest Entomo1ogist Henry
B. Peirson who was to have been the
speaker at the session, was unable
TO attend on account of an attack Of
the grippe.
Comm tees Appointed
President \ &c announced the ap-
pointment Of the following commit
tee to arrange the program for meet.
lngs with the sanction of the direc-
tors of the club: Chairman, Blaine
Owen: Keith Ryan, Charles S.
Brown, Donald @. Burleigh, Howard
Ingraham and Frank G. Harrington,
The following members were NAM
ed on the Under-Privileged Child
committee: DR.. Warren B. Sanborn.
chairman; Israel Pierce, Allison j.
Hayes, DR.. George r. Campbell.
howard McFarlane and Rev. Ralph
F. Lowe.
A reception committee was named
consisting of Milton S. KimbalI
chairman; Frederick Owen, Samuel
Titcomb, Llewellyn L. Cooper, Will
lam H. Kenworthy and James Nor
man.
Ebert D. Hayford and Norman
Dow We're placed on the Inter-Club
Relations committee in place Of
Blaine owen and Keith Ryan who
had resigned from the committee.
Arthur s. Merrill was named its
chairman.
Business Transacted
The club voted to cooperate with
the Augusta Business and Profess
sional Women's Club. and the Ro-
tary and Calumet clubs in the pro-
gram for the Maine publicity meet
ing to be held at Augusta City hall