Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-12-03

The members of the State SportSmcn'S
Association intend making vigorous
fight to have the legislature pass bill
which will enroll all the game and fish
bills in one and cover the many defects
Of the present acts. 1t is the inten-
tion to have one chief warden. He will
receive a small salary and will have the
power to employ sub-wardens. The lat
ter will only be paid for the time they
work. so that the state will save conSd
cradle expense. The gentlemen inter
cSted claim that game and fish can be
properly protected at much less cost
than at present, and as half the fines
collected will go to the warden, he will
have sufficient to meet the expenses for
sub-wardens.
As yet no special bill has been pre-
pared, but it is the intention to have
one near like the law now in force in
Michigan. 1t is easier to collect fines
and enforce the law when there is one
general bill. The work in this state for
the preparation of bill and revision of
present game and fish laws will be car
red on in a systematic manner. II. +.
NJ. Worden, chairman of the Legislative
committee of the State Sportsmen'S As
socation. has sent out circular letter
from Harrisburg relating to the matter,
and invites assistance from the sports
men and all other citizens who desire to
see one general law for the protection
of game and fish.
Chairman Wordon also informs the
members Of the association that com
mittees have been appointed to draft
the various acts suggested at the last
annual meeting, which was held at IIar
rsburg in September. These include
an act to provide for the appointment Of
game and fish warden and prescribe
his powers and duties; another act or
acts, to make more uniform the game
season, and an act to regulate the pos
session. use, transportation and sale OF
fish and game.
Hugh Malloy, of town, has been APP
pointed as u member of the legislative
committee, and recommendations and
suggestions sent to him having bear
ing on the proposed law will be prompt
ly laid before the whole committee.
Chairman WordcnS circular letter
reads partly as follows:
when the committees have completed
their work, the bills will be printed
for distribution to the various clu
and associations forming this associa
tion and all members of the Legislative
committee for their endorsement We
trust thatall the members of the aSsoci
tion will interest themselves in seeing
that they are properly circulated aud
brought to the attention of all classes of
our states citizens. There is no subject
50 generally misunderstood by large
class of our people as that of game and
fish as food supply, it being generally
looked upon as belonging to a distinct
class Of lovers of the rod and gun. 1t
should not be so considered
There are many who never stop to
calculate that every acre of waste land
within the state is capable of providing
food in the shape Of game. The hun
dredS of thousands Of acres in this com
monwealth now barren of game are the
most natural breeding and matching
grounds for certain periods Of the year.
The results cannot but prove beneficial
to all classes of our citizens, and the
same is true of our inland lakes and
streams.
Liberal as have been this states APP
al
caIly, it is not very crcditabe to those
interested in game to be compelled to
admit that it is not Il matter of record
whore one dollar has ever been spccif-
cally appropriated for game protection.
1t is therefore but Just and fair to as
sert that from information and data
now in the possession Of this committee
warrants us in asserting that the value
of our game taken annually is far in
excess Of that of the fish taken from the
waters Of the state. The question nat
urally arises, what would its value be if
properly protected?
1T would appear to me to be no fault
of T., those entrusted with the affairs Of
state that these conditions exist, but
rather with those who should be inter
estcd in preserving our game-that the
rich and influential state of Pennsylva-
MIA should stand alone among its sister
states failing to recognize that its pco-
pie have Il game interest needing pro-
lection.
This association is not an advocate of
foisting on the state a system Of pro-
lection entalling unlimited expenses, or
leaving loop-hole that they may be
created, but does claim that one law
combining the protection or both our
fish and game interests can be inaugural
ed and both effectively and successfully
carried out, at no greater expenses to
our state than at present for fish Spec-
ically.
1T would respectfully refer all doubt
erS to the above assertion, to the system
now in most successful operation in the
state of Mirbiran ="