Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-02

III 'AAS meat liiIee UayS matters will be
rather interesting about the State
Capitol. The schedule of comm,t1ee
hearings for Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday is extensive and comprises
many measures of local and general
State interest.
Inc most important hearings of the
week will be that before the committee
on inland fish and game on the pro-
posal TO impose a hunters tax upon
nonresident sportsmen, and that be-
fore the committee on temperance on
the proposition to resubmit the prollib-
itory amendment to the people.
Inc flrst of these hearings will take
place Wednesday afternoon in Repre-
entatives' hall. That there will be
large attendance of sportsmen from all
over Maine. and from places outside of
he State as well, is indicated from the
letters that have been received by
those having charge of the arrange
ments. The principal address in favor
Of the license law will be made by Hon.
L. I. Carleton, chairman of the hoard
If commissioners of inland fisheries
md game, who will give the reasons
which induces him to ask for the tax.
He will make careful presentation of
the whole subject of Names game sup
ply; he will give facts and figures
showing the necessity for doing some
thing in order that the inroads upon
that supply, which has been for some
time going on, may be curtailed or
abridged in such manner as will pro-
note that supply for the benefit of the
'uture. Mr. Carleton has studied the
needs of game protection from the
standpoint of a practical and thorough
knowledge of the conditions actually
existing in the big game regions of the
State, and what he may say on the
subject in his speech on Thursday, may
be relied upon as being based upon
absolute knowledge and not upon mere
1earsay. He knows the situation in
every portion of the State; he knows
The feeling that exists in the hunting
regions in regard to the supply of big
game, and he knows what the senti-
nent is among out of the State sports
men who come here each year in pur-
suit of game, and who have an interest
IN preserving the same, and he also
inOws that something must be done to
perpetuate the supply or there is grave
AuhoCi u NOiipictCly WlPlIS IL Out
within the next few years.
Mr. Cartoons experience, extending
over a period of many years, prompts
him in declaring that the only feasible
way of protecting and preserving the
big game supply of Maine is by
| systematic and thorough warden SER
vice in the localities where game is
Found. A partial warden service such
rs is now carried on, cannot be as eff
-ective as if 1t were extended and per-
'ected along more complete lines. To
| establish such a service as would be
learly or quite perfect would require
rood many thousands of dollars each
year. This money cannot be obtained,
say the advocates of the hunters Ii
,ense, by direct appropriation from
the general funds of the State There
fore it is urged that the expense of
protecting the big game of the State
should fall upon those persons who
take pleasure in going into the woods
to hunt and shoot deer or moose.
At the hearing on Wednesday other
'peakrs will be present besides Mr..
Carleton, ard they also will urge the
| adoption of the proposed measure
Whether any person will appear in OPP
position to the plan is not known at the
present time. While there are many
gentlemen in the State who do not be-
lieve in the license system on principle,
| it is very doubtful if any of them are
in attendance at the hearing. 1t has
been said that Hon. Charles z. Oak,
formerly one of the fish and game COM
missioners would be here to oppose
the plan, but whether or not he will
come is not known. Hon. Herbert M.
Heath of Augusta, who is an enthu-
siastic sportsman, going into the woods
every year in pursuit of large game, is
said to be an opponent of the license
scheme. He may appear before the
committee and give his reasons for OPP
posing the same. If these two we'll
known gentlemen present themselves
At the hearing and enter their objec-
lions to the measure there will be
something doing in Representatives
hall, next Wednesday afternoon. Both
are able and convincing speakers. and
both are well informed in regard to
the game interests of the State and
have their own ideas as to what they
consider the best and wisest course to
pursue in protecting those interests.
"A dlSc liuiiiDeI vi PCtltlOHo nave
been received in favor of the hunters
tax, and these petitions have been
signed by some of the strongest and
most influential men in the State,
whose high positions in the business,
professional and political circles of
Maine warrant the statement that
these petitions will have great weight
with the members of the committee on
inland fisheries and game and with the
average legislator. On the other hand,
no circumstances against the passage
of the measure have thus far been
seen here. If they do not appear be-
fore Wednesday and if no one comes
before the hearing and opposes the
scheme, it is reasonable to expect that
the report of the committee will be in
favor of the tax.
The second big hearing of the coming
week will occur on Thursday afternoon,
and Representatives hall will be uti-
ized for the purpose. The question I'M
der consideration will be the Davis re-
sove in favor of resubmission. There
will be a large crowd in attendance.
The principal speakers in support of
the resolution will be Representative