The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-12
ROOSEVELTH AILSTHE
SPORTSMEN IN
CONVENTION
Fifth Annual Session of Ma
tionaI League Will De-
mand Code of Laws That
Will Apply to All States
Having Same Interests in
Game.

President Roosevelt telegraphed as
suranceS of his consideration for and
sympathy with the League of Ameri-
can Sportsmen, which held its fifth
annual meeting at the Commercial club
yesterday.
Reports were delivered by represent
atives from all parts of the country,
each showing the situation in regard
to game regulations in his respective
state. Much progress has been made,
but many more reforms of various
kinds are needed.
To provide some practical and ef-
fective regulations, which experience
has shown to be needed, in view Of the
frequent and gross violations of the
present game laws, the league passed
unanimously a resolution requesting
the governors of the states of Virginia,
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Michi-
gan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wis
cOnsin, to call a convention Of the fish
and game committees of their legisla-
lures for the purpose of devising no.
mOgenous code of game and fish laws
to be adopted in each state.
Interest was manifested in the bill
before the present congress for the
creation of game preserves and for the
investing of forest rangers with po-
lice power. The bill was unanimously
approved, and its passage urged.
Want National Breeding Reserve.
Charles Payne, naturalist and col
lector Of wild animals and game birds,
of Wichita, Kan, introduced a reso-
luton suggesting the establishment. in
the Indian territory, Of a reservation
for the preservation and propagation
of game birds, for the purpose of sup
plying the forests of the nation with
stocks. The resolution also recon-
mends an appropriation for the pur-
pose of maintaining the reservation
and the appointment of a commission
by the president of the United States
of commission to have charge Of it.
The resolution was unanimously
adopted, and a committee from the
league, according to a provision con-
tanned in the resolution, will wait
upon President Roosevelt in regard to
the project.
The repeal of the Wisconsin law pro-
hibiting spring shooting was protested
against in resolution, and a resolu-
ton was passed advising the passage
of laws in all states prohibiting the
killing of gray and fox squirrels.
Much earnestness was manifested by
the members from all parts of the
country, and they pointed out the fail
ings of their laws and the need of
amendments. The greatest cause Of
complaint arises from open violations
of the existing laws prescribing sea-
sons, those prohibiting the shipment
Of game from states having laws
against such practices, and those
against the sale Of game. But, on the
whole, the league has made considera-
bic progress towards redresSing those
evils.
The report of President G. o. Shields
shows that much has been accomplish
ed during the past year. He said in
part:
Presidents Report.
1.-The work Of game protection has
been pushed by this league during the
past year as vigorously as heretofore,
and While the results have not been
all we could have wished, yet we have
accomplished a great deal. We should
remember that all great reforms move
slowly, and that we cannot hope to
change the fixed habits and general
opinions Of a nation within a few years.
1--WE have made marked progress
during the year in securing needed
amendments to the game laws in many
states. We have induced the legisla-
lures of several states to amend their
laws so as to prohibit the sale or ex-
port of game.
can important event of the year is
that the governors of eighteen states
have, at the request of the president
Of the league, appointed our chief war
dens, vice wardens and secretary
treasurers as delegates to this, the fifth
annual meeting.
1.-THE growth of the league during
the past year has been entirely satis-
factory. AT the time of the last annual
meeting we had a membership of 1854.
Today we have 9,210. A year ago we
had 156 local wardens at work. To-
day we have 49, a gain OF 10 per cent.
Altogether we may we'll feel proud
of our record for the year, and I heart
lily congratulate the members on the
great work done in 1902"
Addresses We're made by President
G. o. Shields, Executive Agent S. f.
Fullerton, Senator Henry A. Morgan,
of Albert Lea, Chief Forester c. G..
Andrews, Of Minnesota, and others, all
dealing with the condition of the game
laws and their observance.
An event of the afternoon meeting
was the receipt of a telegram from
President Roosevelt, who is a member
of the league. The message read as
follows: Il am always glad to know Of
efforts for the better protection of game
and am particularly glad of the in
creased interest in the League Of Amer
lean Sportsmen in the subject. 1
send cordial good wishes for the sue
cess of the meeting today. I wish 1
could be with you"
The reelection of the officers of the
league by the executive committee in
New York last week was affirmed and
resolutions Of thanks to the Commercial
club and the citV of ST Pal1l for hos