Evening star., 1899-02-07
FOR GAME AND FISH
Meeting Of Protective Association
Held Last Evening.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS RECEIVED
Discussion of River Pollution in
Paper by Mr.. Talbot.
Il III + A n n L \ L Ell ECTI 0 n

The annual meeting of the Game and
Fish Protective Association took place last
evening in the officers quarters at the
Washington Lisht Infantry Armory, and
WAS lal seIy attended. Captain Robley d.
Evans president of the association, was in
the chair.
After the regular routine had been dis
posed of the chair called for reports from
&C mmittees. Game Warden Sylvester pre-
sented his annual report. He spoke of the
good work accomplished in the past by the
association, and referred to its excellent
reputation. From a local standpoint. he
said, the new fish law had been generally
respected, and the game laws have been
enforced, except where evidence has been
carried in cold storage, which is not acces-
sible under existing circumstances. He
referred at length to the improved condi-
tions in the fishing. which were largely due
to the efforts of the association. He dealt
with the efforts ard success of the associa-
ton in preventing the sale of game killed
out of season. Warden Sylvester thought
the association should inaugurate an inter-
change of information with the authorities
of neiShboring states. to the end of pre-
venting the Illegal shooting of game. He
thought il inconsistent that the reed bird,
the pest of the rice fields of the south,
should receive such great protection, while
icy of education by giving information had
been pursued in securing respect for our
game and fish laws. Protection of the
game. he said, is as important to the dealer
as it is to the hunter and consumer. If
game must be had at all times the time
will come when it will be exhausted
PoIIutiau of Potomac.
Chairman Henry Talbot of the committee
on pollution of the Potomac river read an
interesting paper covering recent fnvcstiga-
items. Selfshness. he said, had polluted
the rivers. and ii is only by an appeal to
selishness that the harm may be rene
died. When New Hampshire awolle to the
fact that summer visitors TO the state
brought from S-.ustGD to sS.O00Uo. and
each ore wanted to catch at least one trout,
the pollution waS stopped, more stringent
fish and game laws were enacted. and all
over the state fish hatcheries We're estab
lshed.
Where ignorance is bliss Chairman
Talbot said. "the polluter may well ask.
what's the use of telling him?' The
answer is easy. The use of d smallpox
piacard on an infected house. We 90 about
our daily routine. and if somebody says
typhoid it is with rather feeling of pride
that we point to statistics to show that
Washington is well wy at the head of the
lis cf ci;i-s III the Uni,cd States in its cases
of typhoid and kindred diseases. Only half
Il dozen towns are ahead Of the capital city.
the source OF these diseases directly TO the
pollution of the Potomac. it is always ask
ed, Why don't YOU filter? j never seems
to occur 10 any one Ia ask the more ra-
tional question. why don't YOU stop poll
IUting? The poisons which do tine greater
hurt are organic. or result from their de-
composition. These wastes, whether Of
the field or domestic establishments, pulp
mill or tannery. are all not only valuable,
but indispensable for the renewal of ex-
hausted soils, and their waste alone is in
the nature of the crime of prodigality, with
out taking into the account the trespass,
indeed the outrage. upon the rights of
those upon whom they turn this refuse.
This might be dried, drowned and fl
tered. buried burned or scattered on the
fields, and be harmless. Thrown in the
wafer the sin is hidden, but it is a threat
against the health and lives of thousands
of fellow citizens. TO say nothing Of the
fish"
He said the year had shown progress
everywhere in the matter of pollution. 1t
was of interest to the association to know
that the big pulp mill at Cumberland
would shortly be removed.
The Incompatible Potomac.