The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-08-26

Win Take the Stump for the Birds.
Although Nebraska hes law against
slaughtering of song birds, yet 1t is
ignored in almost every county OF the
state. All Of the Columbus papers have
called attention to the violation Of
this law, yet it appears not to have IN
fluenced the desire on the part OF boys,
yes, and older people, too. to have Ne
spect for the Law. So great has become
the annual slaughtering of birds, to salts
fy the vanity of woman, and the sporting
propeusities displayed by men and boys.
that the question has become one OF
national importance An afeocistion
he's been organized for the protection OF
the birds, which is, in reality, an assooia-
ton for tho protection of the country
iteself against the ravages Of the insects.
"A New York dispatch says: While
the fight for the presidency is spreading
over the country. another national cam
paign for the rights OF the feathered pc.
pulation Of the continent 10 to be pressed
With redoubled force from this city to-
day. Acting for the inland birds whose
further extinction must lay bare all the
land and for the water fowl whose death
will bring on national pestilence the
National Association of Audubon socie-
ties has mapped out every section OF the
United States and organized . force of
speakers to bring home their issues to
the people. Though the political bat
tie will end next November this cam
psien for the birds will be oeaselessIy
carried to every American citizen until
eventually the federal and state govern
mehts shall establish bureaus to sde-
quately meet the national need for econo-
mic bird preservation.
Seven able oFnithologists have today
been assigned to cover as many divisions
of the whole country and establish 10
cal headquarters in this unique campaign
for the national feathered life. At q
constant cost of $4,000 year these
trained workers will be kept on tour
until every community in the land has
had the opportunity to hear the story OF
the dying birds and the loss OF life and
crops which their decrease threatens.
Funds to increase this campaign force
will be sought from every man, woman
and child in the country who cares for
the birds or has 0 dollar at stake IN the
aorioultural and commercial interests
which they alone can save from de-
structiou. While only about thousand
members today help the National As
sociation OF Audubon societies to main
tain scores Of reservations. IN army OF
vsrdsns, small feet Of patrol boats and
q staff OF educational workers it 10 believ-
ed that, when the present emergency u
brought homo to the nation many thous-
suds will enlist in the movement.
..Ssvs the birds who save our lives
and crops" il to be the wstchword OF the
now national bird campaign which is
being launched ct Audubon headquarters
here today. The prediction of Henry w.
Henshsw, . government expert, that
"were the birds exterminated it IL al
mmost certain that not only would success
full agriculture be impossible, but the de-
struction of the greater part OF vegeta-
ton vould follow" 10 to be the keynote.
Thu established fact that destructive in
seot life today ID alsrmingly on the IN
crsass and the birds, it's natural check,
steadily becoming exterminstinsted Will
be ct forth before every farmer, orchard
int. railroad and business man togesner
with the known loss Of >SoQOOO.OOO due
to this condition last year. Medical
authorities will be cited and the pro-
fession aroused to the possibilities OF
pIasue in the decline OF the water fowl,
Natures scavengers.
I'VE intend to place before all the
peopls the Raeatest non partisan issue
comforting the nation at this time" said
william butcher the president Of the
National Association Of Audubon Societ-
- st it, headquarters today. I'VE are
,suarsly facing IN impsnding national
and Jet the government only