This humane handling of this obdurate industrial problem engenders a most valuable spirit of coöperation between employer and employee. These large and most creditable balances of gain achieved by the people of Oregon through the maintenance of the Bureau of Factory Inspection and the Industrial Accident Commission are probably not susceptible of estimation in dollars and cents. Minor items in these accounts, however, can be thus expressed-these are the reductions in judicial expenditures through the almost complete disappearance of damage cases and lowered relief costs and through the saving of many from becoming public charges. These are indicative of a vast total were all social gains effected by these two agencies comprehended in a single expression.

The State Forestry Department, however, can fortunately demonstrate mathematically the measure of returns it yields to the people. Oregon late summer forest fires had in times past overrun vast areas and were with the increased logging operations each year threatening more seriously than ever the destruction of ever larger portions of our precious natural heritage. This appalling menace is now effectively held in check.

The Oregon State Tax Commission is restricted to a distinctively negative function and has had its hands tied by a constitutional provision that embodies a pernicious delusion. Yet the State system of taxation is much more equitably and economically administered than it could have been without this agency. Intercounty properties yield revenues far and beyond what they did prior to its establishment. Had the people but wisely heeded its reiterated recommendations embodied in proposed amendments to the State Constitution the Oregon system of taxation would by this time be characterized by much more justice and economy and the taxes necessary for the revenues needed would bear much more lightly upon the masses of the people.

In turning from the work of the State Tax Commission to that of the State Engineer we are passing from a line of State administrative activity that is negative in character, but absolutely indispensable for social justice and the securing of the general welfare, to one that is as distinctively constructive

and developmental. The office of State Engineer in Oregon was created to effect the establishment of property rights in the use of water. In an arid region the right to the use of the water available is the fundamental property right. The use of water for irrigation and power has largest promise of importance in all parts of Oregon and in extensive sections it is actually of this fundamental significance. Not only has the office of the State Engineer been instrumental in determining what measure of wealth of this resource is available for irrigation and power purposes, but the formerly chaotic claims thereto have been adjudicated, an admirable system for acquiring rights to the use of our water resources has been established and with the coöperation of the National Government a large portion of the State has been topographically surveyed, rendering possible a scientific procedure in the more intensive utilization of it.

THE ATTITUDE NECESSARY FOR GETTING THE MOST AND BEST OUT OF OUR RESOURCES-NATURAL AND SOCIAL

The paper of the State Engineer in this issue on "Industrial Preparedness" suggests the attitude that should be assumed toward all problems of Oregon progress. The steps for the most economic and effective utilization of some of the unique resources of the Pacific Northwest are here outlined. A combination into a great commercial world enterprise of its water powers, transportation facilities and sources of potash, phosphate and nitrate fertilizers is planned. Coöperation of national and State governments with private undertakings, utilizing the latest results of science and invention, is advocated. This, developed with careful and well considered tactics, would make a combination that would be a winner in world competition. Nothing less than such socialized and scientifically up-to-date enterprise will bring the measure of prosperity and the plane of living worthy of Oregon. Our location in the world's system of industry, the type and combination of our resources, the standards of living of our people virtually demand this nth degree of association and organization of effort.

In the occupation of the Mississippi Valley in the first half of the nineteenth century rank individualism was normal. Yet even then and there the associated effort in log-rollings, house-raisings, in the maintenance of schools and churches, were indispensable. But with our twentieth century standard of living in our isolated Oregon different social and economic tactics are necessary. The last half-century revolutionized our social heritage through the advances made in the humanities, sciences and inventions, and Nature prepared in Oregon a heritage of resources that will respond only to a full-fledged twentieth century industrial and social organization. Harness these resources in such organization and the conditions of life here in the home, on the farm and in the factory will be attractive beyond parallel. Electricity will be the universal servant on most economic terms and matchless climate and scenery will do the rest.

A like degree of science and art applied in handling our public utilities, in planning our cities, in developing the best promise in our youth, in conserving human life and in realizing the highest degree of economy and efficiency in all departments of industry and in all phases of living-with this spirit and purpose possessing the Oregon people they will regard their commonwealth outfit of administrative agencies with real insight into the possibilities in them and presto! under their very eyes these agencies will undergo transfiguration. From having a visage of tax- or revenue-eating ogres, they will take on the mien of a set of beneficent, welfare-ministering servants.

Oregon's Affairs Administered Through the

Office of Secretary of State

BY BEN W. OLCOTT, SECRETARY OF STATE

The office of Secretary of State is a constitutional one. Thinking it would prove of interest to those assembled here I have taken the liberty of bringing with me, from the archives of the State in the custody of the office I represent, and for your inspection, the original constitution adopted in 1857, and original first laws of the State enacted in 1859. Typewriters being unknown in those days, you will observe the legibility of the writing. As they depended entirely on that mode of record in those days, more attention and care was, naturally, devoted to that now almost lost art. A very brief reference to the constitution may not, under the circumstances, come amiss.

It was framed by sixty delegates chosen by the people of Oregon Territory at a general election held in June, 1857. Convention met in Salem in August and September of that year and framed the constitution. Same was ratified by a majority vote of electors in November of that year. The Act of Congress admitting Oregon into the Union was approved February 14, 1859, on which date the constitution went into effect. Oregon had at that time 50,000 population. It is somewhat of a coincidence that the day I chanced to be selected to appear before you was February 14, 1916-the 57th anniversary of the admission of Oregon to the Union and the adoption of its constitution.

BUSINESS OFFICE OF STATE

The office of Secretary of State is essentially the business office of the State. It is to the State, what the office of county clerk is to a county.

It employs a matter of some 40 people-23 in the office proper and 17 in the care and upkeep of the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings and grounds, for it is the legal custodian of same and charged with that responsibility.

On death or disability of Governor to act, the incumbent of this office succeeds to the governorship and must administer

the affairs of both offices. It is manifest this is not as it should be. Correcting laws should be enacted. A considerable number of the states have a Lieutenant-Governor who serves as President of the Senate during sessions of the Legislative Assembly and who succeeds to the governorship in the event of unfortunate necessity. He needs be under salary only during such sessions or when in actual service as Governor.

By virtue of office the Secretary of State is compelled to serve on many boards and commissions, later reviewed. Is also, ex officio, member of the Board of Regents of the University of Oregon, Oregon Agricultural College and Monmouth Normal.

AUDITING DEPARTMENT

This is the most important department of this office and in fact there is no more important in the State. It disburses all moneys appropriated by the Legislature and practically every claim against the State is here audited and warrant drawn in payment.

Appropriations are made by the Legislature to cover a period of two years-consequently the State's business is by bienniums. In 1913-1914 over 50,000 claims aggregating $8,000,000.00 were audited and paid. For the year just past, 1915, 35,000 claims were paid-an increase over previous year of 10,000 or 40 per cent. I mention this to show the rapid increase of the business of the State.

A separate and distinct account is opened and kept of every appropriation made by the Legislature, and there are now on our books about 500 accounts. An account is credited with the amount of the appropriation and charged with the warrants issued against it-in reality the operation simply being the same as that of your banker in handling your account. The warrants are drawn on the State Treasurer and the great majority of them on the general fund. That official is not required to keep, as we, segregated accounts of each appropriation. His are merged largely into one-and that the general fund.