Reports of Field Agents 393 



The work of presenting the needs of bird-protection and the best methods 

 of accomplishing it has been carried on throughout the region by lectures, 

 exhibitions, and through the columns of the press, as usual. Returns from the 

 work, reckoned in dollars and in numbers, count and are easily understood. 

 The greatest and best returns come in the increased value put on bird-life and 

 the increased belief in our cause shown in all ways throughout the region. 



The cordial and effective support of the New York office has, as always 

 hitherto, been felt in all good work and is gratefully acknowledged. 



REPORT OF WILLIAM L. FINLEY, FIELD AGENT FOR 

 THE PACIFIC COAST STATES 



The question of vital importance for the protection of wild birds on the 

 Pacific Coast is whether Malheur Lake Reservation can be saved. Since the 

 passing of Klamath Lake Reservation by the drying up of Lower Klamath 

 Lake, bird-lovers have been wondering whether any of our natural lakes and 

 surrounding marshes can be saved from the extreme commercialism of pro- 

 moters. 



Malheur Lake Reservation was created by special proclamation of Theodore 

 Roosevelt on August 18, 1908. Since that time, land promoters and others in 

 Oregon have raised the question, claiming that at the time the executive proc- 

 lamation was issued, Malheur Lake belonged to the state of Oregon instead 

 of the United States. For several years, promoters have been attempting to 

 get authority through the State Land Board to drain Malheur Lake in order 

 to sell the lake bed and surrounding alkali lands to farmers. 



An effort was made at the last session of the Oregon legislature to pass a 

 law ceding jurisdiction over Malheur Lake to the Government, but this failed. 

 To settle this matter definitely, the Oregon Audubon Society, with the assist- 

 ance of the National Association of Audubon Societies, have initiated a bill 

 by securing the signatures of nearly fifteen thousand voters which places the 

 measure on the ballot to be voted on by the people of the state. The bill is 

 entitled "The Roosevelt Bird Refuge Measure" and the election occurs Novem- 

 ber 2. 



The land promoters have the assistance of certain large land-owners and 

 irrigationists in eastern Oregon who have raised the cry that this will ruin 

 Harney County and stop all future development. They are profiting by the 

 assistance of certain state officers who claim that there is enough Government- 

 owned land in Oregon which is not subject to tax and this would increase that 

 amount, and they also advance the plea that if the lake was drained, the land 

 could be sold and this money materially enhance the state school fund. This is, 

 of course, largely a fight against extreme commercialism that would destroy 

 everything of beauty and sentiment. 



Balanced against this is the plea of the lovers of the out-of-doors. With the 



