270 Hakvby W. Sonr

mated conservathrely at 200,000. It wotdd be more if actiTtty m railroad constmction shotdd be renewed within a year. Settlers will not go into iscdated parts without the railroad or prospect of it. Our coast counties, which have resources for support of halt a million people, are yet almost unoccu- pied; and, though Eastern Oregon contains much land yet classed as desert, great tracts will surely be redaimed, as soon as possibility of transportatioo shall make k worth while to do it. Formerly, development preceded the railroad. But that day is past Few now will live in places remote from the movements of Ufe and business.

The timber of Oregon is still almost untouched, and, within a few years, will become the basis of an immense activity; while a large part of the timber of Washington is gone already. Or^fon, therefore, has an industry coming which in Wash- ington within a few 3rears will be practically exhausted. There is a probability that, within a period not exceeding twenty-five years, the population of Oregon may again exceed diat of Washington, since relatively in this state so little has been done upon the resources which nature has offered to industry and enterprise.