Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-22
TO PROTECT GAME
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT FAvoRs
PRoHIBIToRY LAWS IN DISTRICT
In Letter Read Before Fish and Game
Protective Association Last Night
Election Of oflcers.

At meeting of the local Game and Fish
Protective Association held at 1880 * street
last night. the residence of DIR. w. 8. Har-
ban, officers for the ensuing term were
elected as follows: Dr. w. 8. Harlan,
president: Henry Talbot. Vice president:
Richard Sylvester. warden, and DR.. w. p.
Young, secretary -treasurer. The executive
committee Is composed OF Commissioner
Henry L. West. Dr.. T. s. Palmer. F. F. B.
Curtis. Alexander Britton, DR. H. L. Var
row and Willard Fracker.
During the course of the meeting DR.. Har-
ban read letter from President Roose-
veit. addressed to Commissioner Macfar-
land and referred to the association, in
which the President expressed the wish that
the killing of game be prohibited In the
District. President Roosevelt stated:
The Presidents Letter.
Il desire to commend to the atten-
trict Of Columbia the advisabiiity and ne
eessity of recommending to the Congress
the enactment of law which shall pro-
hibit the destruction OF birds and small
game within the limits of the District of
Columbia
The laws already existing are those
which prescribe closed season for birds
u.
course, fully enforced The time has now
arrived, however, when, in my opinion,
every limitation should be removed and the
whole territory of the District of Column
pia De closed throughout the entire year
against the killing of the feathered and
furred inhabitants of the woods and fields.
The reasons for this action are self-evi-
dent In the first place, the development
of the outlying sections of the District has
increased in very marked degree during the
past rev years. and Is now progressing to
a condition which makes the discharge of
firearms in any open section not only a
serious annoyance to the suburban COM
munity, but menace to life and limb.
This. in itself, is sufficient warrant for the
suggested statute; but. In addition I beg
to call your attention to the fact that the
laws now In force have produced admir-
able results. In the parks, for instance,
and especially in Rock Creek Park, the pres
rels. etc, has become most noticeable. and
constitutes very real attraction. If we
should now go a step further and provide
absolute protection to all birds and small
game, the District of Columbia would be-
come their haven of refuge
Work of Association.
DR.. Harlan reported very effective work
was done by the association during the past
year and the interest manifested by the
medical society. Mr.. Henry Talbot read
an instructive paper on pollution; Mr. Mar
Shaii " 11SlSHtoHp Ciiei VI the HyOTO-eCO-
nomic department of the geological survey.
spoke of what has been accomplished In that
direction by his department. and DR. T. s.
Palmer of the biological survey of the De-
partment OF Agriculture of the excellent re-
suits that have followed the protection of
wild ducks. pelicans and other Wild fowl
on the coast of Florida, especially at Palm
Beach. st. Augustine and Pelican Island.
President Roosevelt was made an hon
orary member of the association.
To Draft a Law.
The suggestions made in the Presidents
letter met with hearty Endorsement by the
local authorities. Commissioner Macfarland
Immediately dictated motion looking to
the framing of suitable BILL and plans
are already on foot to have the proposed
after the holiday adjournment. The mo-
ton. which will go to Commissioners West
and Bfddle for approval, reads as follows:
move that the corporation counsel be
directed to prepare the draft of law which,
shall prohibit the destruction of birds and
small game within the limits OF the Dis
trict of Columbia, and that the bill thus
prepared be sent to Congress with recon-
mendation for its enactment.
Il heartily agree with the President that
the time has come when the District of Co
lumbia should be closed throughout the
year against the killing of birds and small
game. and for the reasons given, namely,
the protection of the public from the an
noyance and danger of the discharge of
firearms. the protection of birds and small
game. and the resulting addition to the at
fractions of the parks and suburban regions
of the District"