Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-06-03

nreS, Dut with proper care III couiu
soon again be made to produce mes-
chantable timber These lands
should be granted to the state to
hold in perpetuity with the right to
sell the timber and lease the grazing
privileges for the benefit of the
state.
Another natural resource which
the state should have the perpetual
benefit of Is Il vast water. power In
the numerous streams flowing down
from either side of the two mountain
chains traversing our state from the
north to- the south. Electric power
for driving machinery and lighting
purposes, is yet In its infancy, but
all Indications point TO It's rapid
development, and electricity can be
generated more economically by
water power than any other process
If these powers we're preserved to
the state the rental from them would
increase from year to year as the in
dustries of our state grow in impor-
tance and In time would bring mill
lions of dollars annually into our
state treasury.
We have another natural resource
in what is called desert land. This
desert land could be made very val
liable to the public in general and
rob no one individual in particular,
by the government Withholding 1t
from ever passing into private own
ership. Let the government put and
maintain water upon II and then by
a system of long leases in small
tracts at a low but profitable and
rental place families
upon them to cultivate and make
their homes there. A system OF this
kind would provide Independent
homes for thousands who are strug-
Cling against adversely for a poor
living and at the same time bring In
a vast revenue over and above ex-
penses which should be given to the
states in whose borders such lands
are located to support their public
Your committee is OF the opinion
that these institutions can be more
economically administered by being
all under one state board OF control.
We therefore recomend that there
be a state board created for the
purpose OF managing our higher in
stitutlons OF learning. This board
should consist of not less than three
nor more than Ave persons. II
should be a mixed board composed
OF both men and women and So ar
ranged In the election or APPOINT
ment OF its members that the MAJOR
Ity of either sex over the other
should not exceed one. This board
should have direct charge of the, ex-
pendlture OF all money used In the
interest OF these institutions. II
should be It's duty to oversee and
provide buildings. apparatus, teach
srs and everything needful for the
proper prosecuting OF the work.
They should keep an acco INT of all
expenditures and make q detailed re-
port TO the legislature at the begin
ming OF each regular session, to-
gether with estimatas OF their needs
or the time intervening between |
BY placing them all under
'ne board OF control we believe they
'an b. more economically carried on,
BESIDES II would do away with the !
scandal which has hereto
ore been attached to the appropr!a-
ions.
Your committee has only touched
lpon some of the valuable natural
'esources of our state which shonld ,
Do secured to the state to hold in
for the benefit of the
whole people. A thorough investi-
cation of the matter would no doubt
SNOai many ONHClo WhAIn hiot olaNC Il
ihou!d hold the monopoly of for
he benefit of the present genera
ion as we'll as those who come after
is.
In conclusion your committee
would recommend that this State
orange takes steps to collect reliable
touching upon these nat
lral resources OF our state. which
ire now fast passing into private
lands and private corporations and
ay the matter before the proper an-
horities and use the best efforts
It its command to secure to the state
n perpetuity these valuable natural
esources for the benefit of the
Whole people. We feel sure no bet
er method for the support of our
4