Conservation Commission 31 



During the year improvements of twenty-four dams, by means 

 of repairs, changes and alterations, have been required by the 

 Commission. In the past twelve months only five dams have 

 failed. Seventeen failed in 1913; twenty-two failed in 1912. 

 Four of the dams which failed in the past year were built before 

 the formation of the Conservation Commission. The remaining 

 dam failed before completion, for the reason that precautions 

 taken to protect it against high water during construction were in- 

 adequate. As soon as practicable, examination was made to as- 

 certain the underlying cause of each failure and to obtain first- 

 hand information which would avert similar casualties hereafter. 



It is the purpose of the Commission to inspect and record the 

 location and characteristics of every dam in the State, under its 

 jurisdiction. The reports, when returned, are carefully examined 

 and steps taken to correct any defect or weakness. 



II. THINGS TO BE ACHIEVED 



Thus far, in some detail, we have discussed the things achieved ; 

 the settled policies ; the features of conservation upon which there 

 is concord of opinion. 



There remain to be discussed the things to be achieved; those 

 great unsettled conservation problems as to which public opinion 

 is still in the formative stage. These relate to conservation, de- 

 velopment and utilization of water resources and the utilization 

 of forest products. 



Shall the Forest Preserve be " forever kept as wild forest 

 lands ? " or, shall the State permit selective cutting and sale of 

 mature timber? 



What shall the State do with the surplus waters of its canals ? 

 What shall we do with our million and a half of potential horse 

 power, now undeveloped and unused? 



Shall it be the good old policy of laissez faire? The flood of 

 many a March has raced to the sea with ruin in its wake; the 

 drouth of many an August has brought its sure heritage of indus- 

 trial paralysis. But we are used to all this, and so were our 

 fathers before us ; why not our children, too ? 



