The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-12
SPORTSMEN URGE REFORM
NATIONAL LEAGUE TO HOLD ANNUAL
CONVENTION TODAY.
A Grateful Telegram from President
ROOsevelt-Plan for Preser-
walton of the Buffalo.

lean SDortsmen arrived in the city yester-
day to be present at the annual meeting
of that organization to-day. G. o. Shields,
president of the league, was among the
early arrivals, and in the afternoon he
sent the following message to President
Roosevelt, who is a member of the exec
utive council of the organization:
1.-The League of American Sportsmen, in
annual meeting assembled, extends its
hearty sympathy in your present grief,
and earnestly hopes your son may soon
recover.
The following reply was received, signed
by Mr.. Cortelyou, secretary to the Presi-
dent:
1.-The very kind message of the League
of American Sportsmen is warmly appre-
ciated by the President. Young Roose-
velts condition tonight is considerably
more favorable than at this hour yester-
day"
The League of American Sportsmen will
convene at the Commercial Club at
o'clock this morning.
Governor Durbn and Mayor Bookwalter
will welcome the delegates This evening
a banquet will be served at the Hotel En-
glish. 1t is expected that all the business
will be disposed of to-day. All persons in
terested in the work of the league in
vited to attend the meeting.
A vast amount of good work has been
done by the league during the past year for
the preservation of game and fish. Among
the most important achievements of the
year has been the securing of the passage
of bills in New Mexico Arizona, North and
South Dakota. Montana, Nevada and Idaho
prohibiting the killing of antelope for
periods of five to ten years. The Governor
of idaho vetoed the bill, but the governors
Of the other seven States approved. The
league has secured the passage of laws in a
fnfA ia
Of all kinds of game at all times of the
year. The league has also secured the
passage of laws in a number of States
prohibiting the exporting of game of all
kinds.
League officers and members have caused
the arrest of men for violations of the game
and fish laws, and the conviction of CSC.
All those convicted either paid fines or
went to Jail 10 serve them out. In many
cases guns, ammunition and camp outfits,
found in possession of lawbreakers, have
been conhscated and sold, and the proceeds
applied TO state funds for the enforcement
OF game and fish laws. During the past
year the league has paid sixteen rewards
of $40 each for convictions secured By its
members. The members who secured the
other convictions have not claimed re-
wards At least two tons of printed mat
ter, prepared in the interest of game, fish
and forestry protection, was distributed.
and 5000 cloth posters, offering rewards OF
so each for the conviction OF game and nstT
law Violators, have been sent out.
The league has been largely instrumental
in breaking up the millinery traffic in the
plumage of song and insectivorous birds.
A number of States have passed laws pro-
hibiting the selling, wearing or having in
possession of such plumage for commercial
or decorative purposes. The league MEM
bership has grown from 5,46S in 1900 to 1884,
a gain of AZ per cent Among the States
Arkansas, 800 per cent; Indiana, 4S6 per
cent; Minnesota, 2O2 per cent; Idaho, lis
per cent, and Georgia, 1913 per cent. There
are now forty-three state divisions, a gain
OF 126 per cent. There are forty local chap
ters and 156 local game wardens.
President Shields has drafted and sent
to Washington three important bills. One
of these aims to provide better protection
for the wild animals and birds of Alaska.
1t aims to prohibit the sale of game in
that Territory at all times, TO prohibit
the shipment OF heads and skins therefrom
for sale. 1t makes an open season OF only
two months in the year for hunting An
other of these bills provides for the con-
version of all forest reserves in the Western
States into game preserves, and that these
tracts shall be governed and policed as the
Yellowstone Park is now. The third meas
ure provides for the extension of the yell
lowstone Park south and east to include the
adjacent timber reserves and TO provide
adequate winter range for the elk and
other big game. Another bill contemplated
is one looking to the purchase OF the AIlard
herd of buffalo and the care thereof for
all future time by the general govern
ment. President Roosevelt, it is said, is
heartily in favor of the bills.
TO PRESERVE BUFFALO.
The following resolution relating to buffa-
10 will be presented at the meeting to-day:
1.-The present generation has seen the buff
falo, the most noble and once the most
numerous of all of our wild animals. wiped
out of existence, with the exception of a
few that were rescued from the passing
thrOng by thoughtful men and that are now
held and cared for in domestication One
of these remnants of this once mighty
habitant of the plains is owned by the
heir of Charles Allard, in the Flathead
valley of Montana Therefore, the League
of American Sportsmen, in annual meet
ing assembled. humbly petitions the
Congress of the United States to take
prompt and vigorous measures for the pur-
chase and perpetual care OF this band of
buffalo
"An friends Of game protection know
that the buffalo In Yellowstone National
Park, which a few years ago numbered
more than 400. have been killed off by
pOachers living near the borders of the
park aided. abetted and inspired by un-
principled taxidermists until now less
than thirty Of these noble animals remain
in the park: and this destruction has been
wrought by these poachers because Con-
gress has failed 10 appropriate a suf-
hcient fund each year TO employ a suf-
fcient number Of scouts and gamekeepers
to properly patrol the park and keep the
poachers out. Therefore
Resolved by the League OF American
Sportsmen in annual meeting assembled
That We deeply deplore this neglect OF
duty on the part Of our senator's and rep
| resentatives In Congress and we request
and urge that body 10 appropriate here
after at least 10000 each year for the en-
ployment Of scouts and gamekeepers in the
park in order that the few remaining buf-
| falO and other game In the park may. IL
possible. be saved from the ravages OF
these skin hunters
I'VE also request and urge the secretary
of the interior to adopt such measures al
may be necessary 10 secure the detail OF
at least twice the number OF troops here
| tOfore kept Ia the park to guard the roads
and trails leading TO and from same I'm
order to properly guard these routes OF
travel 20 keep the poachers out Of that
great natural game preserve"