The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03
The State Association Has OBJ
tained Aid From the Attor.
ney-General.
DUCKS AT THE PALACE HOTEL.
Commissioner Morrison's Eyes Opened to
the InfractionS of the
State Law.


of the Fish and Game Commission, and
find the means of prosecuting the viola
tors.
The matter of protecting game was
thoroughly discussed at a meeting of the
officers of the association few nights ago,
and the conclusion was reached that to
wait for the Fish and Game Commissioners
to take decisive action would be to leave
the game to its fate, and that immediate
steps must be taken to visit such punish
ment on those who fail to observe the
present laws as to deter others from emu
lating their example.
The upshot of the matter was that those
present, including Fish Commissioner J.
NJ. Morrison, went down into their pockets
and Clipped in $40 each to assist in getting
competent legal aid in prosecuting cases
that are neglected by the commission.
Those who subscribed We're: Field
Sports" III. T. Payne) $40, J. NJ. Morrison
$50. Crittenden Robinson $40, S. E. Knowles
$40 and F. R. Webster $50.
Numerous others who have heretofore
expressed desire to assist in such pro-
ject are expected to send in their subscrip-
tions and ere long a sufficient sum
will be raised to pay the necessary legal
expenses.
This determination to do the work that
the State Sportsmen's Association believes
should be done by the commission arose
from difference of opinion between Com
missloners Emeric, Murdoch and Morrison
as to the manner in which the laws should
be enforced.
The latter wanted strong measures
adopted-prompt prosecutions and fights
to finish. The rest were not so jealous,
and then Mr.. Morrison began an investi-
CATION on his own hook. He wanted proof
that the law was being openly and fla
grantly violated. He found worthy guides
in H. T. Payne and Crittenden Robinson,
who volunteered to show him game out of
season in the first place entered.
The Palace Hotel grillroom was chosen
for the test, and the party of three went in
and took seats. The bill of fare was called
for and eagerly scanned for announce
ments of game. None appeared.
1--WE want some game-quail, duck or
something of that kind" said one of the
party, ''but it does not seem to be on the
menu"
"Oh, that's all right" answered the
waiter, "what do you desire?"
Teal duck on toast" said the spokes-
man. The others acquiesced in the order.
In due time three fat little teal, done to
a turn, were brought in and were attacked
by the party in the presence of fifty other
guests of the hotel, merely that the guests
might be able to say that the members
had partaken of the game. Crittenden
Robinson's dog took the larger portion of
the repast.
formed that fifty places exist in San Fran
cisco where game out of season is Just as
easy of access his eyes were opened to the
true state of affairs and he Immediately
announced that he was ready to do every
thing in his power to stop the Illicit traffic
in game. In order to be sure that the
statements made to him were correct sew
eral other places were visited and the same
state of affairs was found. Mr.. Morrison
returned to Sacramento profoundly i'm
pressed with the necessity of immediate
action, but before he went the meeting
which resulted in the starting of the SUBJ
scription was held.
II. T. Payne, editor of Field Sports and
one of the directors of the State Sports
mems Association, who has been one of
the most active workers in the interest of
game and fish in this State, said yesterday
that the State Sportsmens Association
would not rest until some changes had
been brought about to more thoroughly
protect an interest which he considered
of vital Importance to the State.
"Not only has the association taken the
matter up" he's said, "but it has through
its president appealed to the Attorney
General for aid. That official has prom
ised his co-operation-in fact has already
detailed one of his assistants to push the
case against the men alrea dy under arrest
for violating the laws.
"Some days ago r. K. Malcolm and
George Compodonico were arrested for
infringements of the law.
Game Warden Mogan, who took them
into custody, went to the Office of the COM
mission and asked for legal aid in pushing
the cases, and as it has been reported to
me he was told that the commission had
no money to waste on such matters; that
the commission had no power to hire
lawyers, and that nothing could be done
for him.
''If it is fact that this latter statement
was made to him it is mistake, for the
legislative committee that arranged the
appropriation, l believe, for the commits
sion apportioned them as follows: For the
propagation of fish $4,000 for the pro-
lection of game and fish $4,000 and for
the purpose of paying attorneys to prose-
cute violators of the law $50O0 This lat
ter amount should certainly be ample to
pay all the legal talent necessary.
"Mr. Mogan then appealed to Crittenden
Robinson, who in turn went to Attorney
General Fitzgerald, with the result men
toned.
There is no doubt that immense quaint.
ties of game come into this market every
day consigned to restaurants and hotels,
but the trouble is to catch it. 1t comes in
the bottoms of egg and butter boxes, with
layers of produce hiding it from the sight
of inquiring eyes. This matter should be
watched and probably will be.
"As 10 the Palace Hotel grillroom,
have no doubt that in due time warrants
for the arrest of the manager, or whoever
Is responsible, will be issued.
1.-THE cases of those who have already