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306 gradually changed, and game soon began to be regarded as one of the State's important resources.

State Biologist With New Duties. At the end of four years, the Fish and Came Commission decided that Mr. Finley's entire time should be devoted to educational and scientific work and a new position was created for him. Instead of State Game Warden he was given the position of State Biologist.

Oregon Forestry Board. At this time forest fires, which had been frequent in Oregon since the earliest Indian traditions began to attract attention. It was affirmed that four times as much timber had been burned in Oregon as had been manufactured, which is very significant when we consider that two-fifths of the state is covered with forests, and that next to land, timber is Oregon's greatest asset. The forests also invite railroads, furnish employment to an army of laborers, lessen taxes, tend to preserve the equal flow of streams thereby rendering them valuable for electric development and irrigation; furnish refuge for game, and prevent the destructive erosion of mountain soils. Therefore, when carefully compiled statistics were submitted showing that eighty-five per cent of the forest fires were unnecessary—having been the result of carelessness, indifference, or malice—the legislature of Oregon, in 1911, decided to give the great forest crop the same care that is given to agricultural products. Accordingly the present Forestry Board was created for the purpose of co-operating with the federal government in keeping the forests green until they could be converted into lumber or be of other benefit to the State. This board is composed of the Governor, head of the Forestry School at the Oregon Agricultural College, and five additional members, each representing and selected by one of the following organizations: Oregon State Grange, Oregon Fire Association Oregon Lumber Manufacturers' Associa-