43^ Proceedings oe the 



our proper mark, and for years it seemed as if the signs 

 of the times would remain unheeded. And many of 

 us began to wonder what the matter was with our 

 State of Michigan. The people of the Dominion, our 

 neighbors, were awake, and introduced better methods ; 

 the older States had gone ahead, and, realizing that 

 they, too, had gone too far, had begun to check the 

 damage and prepare for its correction; but we in our 

 State were still going the swift pace of slaughter and 

 destruction. Were we to be behind? No. I have 

 come to say to you that Michigan is not behind the 

 rest of the States. We were merely too busy to realize 

 just where we were. Michigan has awakened to the 

 importance of doing; she has begun to check the evil, 

 she is organizing to repair the damage. Michigan has 

 a Forestry Commission, which looks after the forest 

 interests of the State; it has begun a proper land 

 policy and established the nucleus of a State forest, and 

 is training its boys in the care of the woods at its two 

 great institutions, the University of Michigan, and the 

 Agricultural College. The business men of every city 

 in the State are united in a desire — even demand — 

 that something be done and done at once, to check 

 further timber devastation and to restore to the State 

 the supply of material so necessary for its welfare. 

 We have with us the people, even the women of our 

 State have taken up the matter of forestry, and that 

 great factor of civilization, civic and social improve- 

 ment, the Federation of Womens Clubs of Michigan 

 has begun a systematic, well directed campaign in favor 

 of State and private forestry. We are moving, and 

 our path is clearly before us, and our opportunities are 

 as good as those of any State in the Union. It gives 

 me great pleasure to tell you of this, and to say that 

 Michigan is here with you, and stands ready to co- 

 operate with its sister States in this great movement. 



