Page:Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission to the Governor (1908 - 1914).djvu/251

 That the time will come when every state will have in its service men capable, through experience, to deal with its problems, is entirely probable. Until considerable advance has been made, however, safety lies in taking advantage of the experience of the Federal Government in prosecuting state conservation work.

Each year progress has been shown. Our forests are being better protected, water troubles are more equitably and expeditiously adjusted, we bid fair soon to have a state forest.

and information regarding the power and irrigation possibilities of our streams is being secured.

Oregon has, however, done little to stimulate interest in her mineral deposits, and the arid and logged off lands are not being reclaimed with the rapidity desired or expected. The consideration of these matters is of vital importance, and the way to improve conditions is briefly pointed out in this report.

The conservation movement is rapidly and rightly becoming a state as well as a national one. Oregon can and should take a prominent place in leading the way toward equitable regulation and use of her resources.