Page:Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission to the Governor (1908 - 1914).djvu/260

 peculiarly profitable as a public enterprise both because the State has the competitive advantage of freedom from taxation and because it has not the freedom of private enterprise in profiting by highly remunerative business projects which involve corresponding risk. Old countries have proved that forest growing affords the State a large, safe and permanent revenue which, of course, reduces taxation upon all citizens.

EXISTING PROTECTIVE EFFORT.

As has been indicated forest protection in Oregon originates from four sources (1) The Forest Service, which takes entire responsibility for the proper care of the National Forests, comprising about one-half of the timbered area of the State; (2) The State which through its own appropriation of $30,000 yearly and the Federal funds provided under the Weeks Law (in 1912 $10,000) puts on such patrol as funds will permit of; (3) The timber owners who through associations and individually each year expend some $150,000 to $200,000 for patrol, fire fighting, and the building of trails and telephone lines; (4) Counties, who under the law may independently appro priate funds for protection purposes.

The past few years have seen rapid strides in the quantity and quality of protection given to Oregon's private lands. Some eight or ten years ago individual owners began the patrol of their holdings, but by far the bulk of them have not up to within the past three or four years taken any lively interest in protection. The passage of a (ire law carrying an appropriation with which to hire men to enforce its provisions, the formation of the Western Forestry & Conservation Association, and of the Oregon Forest Fire Association, have however, been the means of bringing system into the work and securing results accordingly.

There are now actively engaged in protecting Oregon's timber eight county patrol associations, covering ten counties. Six of these organizations have been formed within the year. The State Board of Forestry and the State Forester cooperate with these patrol Associations so far as this is justified and funds will permit.

Though practically all of Oregon's timber is now receiving some protection a considerable amount is not adequately looked after. About one-half of the privately owned land would receive no protection were it not for the funds provided by the owners of the other half. Part of this area is owned by claim holders, but a considerable amount belongs to those who see fit to profit by the progressiveness of their neighbors.