The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
GUARD BIRD WARDS
UNCLE SAM ASKED TO PROTECT
 INTERSTATE FLYERS.
sporfsmen and Farmers Joan Audubon Workers fe Urge Weeks, BiIl. Nations Bird Life
 ax Stake

New York. Dec. 26.-(Special)--As Ing Uncle Sam to act as guardian to all the birds that flock Through his various States and territories. sports men, ornithologists and agricultural authorities throughout this country have today joined the National Asso- ciation of Audubon Societies in urR- ing Congress to provide Federal pro- lection for the nations rapidly dying races of migratory birds. Unless these helpless wanderers who wing their way over the continent are speedily guarded by Federal law at every point In their travels, many valuable bird species will soon become extinct as several have already, 1t was declar- ed here today by leaders of this new movement. 4
 As smeasure providing for the proper care of its bird wards by the national government, the sportsmen's 's and Audubon organizations announced today that they would unite to sup port the Weeks btll, which was intro- duced at Washington last May and is now in the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives. This bill provides for the custody of all migratory birds to be assumed by the Federal government and authorize the Department of Agriculture to deter mine and fix closed seasons in all the territory travelled by the birds that undertake interstate flights. With out interfering with the State law for strictly resident birds, this proposed Federal Legislation is designed to in- sure protection of the migratory flocks in the interests of the people of every section of the country.
 Birds Are Wards of Nation.
 Reciting the practical difficulties of obtaining uniform State legislation to protect this important class of birds. resolutions have just been passed by the American Ornithologists' Union. in convention in this city. endorsing the Weeks bill and expressing the belief that ''all birds which do not remain permanently within the borders of any State or territory are logically the wards of the nation" By the New York Association for the Protection of Game, as well as other bodies of sportsmen in every section of the countfy. similar endorsement has been given to this movement. From Min nesota. Oklahoma and many other States it is reported that public senti- nent has already insured the active support of this measure fin Congress,
 That not only the healthy recreation Of the sportsman pdl tHS hohSN health and agricultural prosperity as well are seriously threatened by the lack of Federal protection of migra- tory birds, is shown by recent rec ords of the investigations of govern ment authorities. Hosts of insects that harm the crops anda carry deadly germs are now known to be consumed hy these very birds that the nation IS a slse ed to guard from wholesale slaugh- eter If the lack of uniform protection of theso birds by the States which they must cross Is allowed to menace inc Interests of the American people any longer it Is pointed out that the conseouences will be serious.
 .Farmers, ranchmen. planters ana luunbermen, as we'll as sportsmen and bird lovers, in all parts of the coun- try are offering us their support Tn this campaign to place Uncle Sam on guard over the nations migratory Sirds." said William Duteher.~ presi- dent of the National Association or Audubon Societies at It's headquartsrs, IAI Broadway, today. Twenty-1ve wears of constant and aggressive ef- feft for uniform bird protection laws ha. resulted in. some progress; but century of effort would not accom- nllah what this Weeks bill will, If 1t ia made law. If every American who cares for the continued existence Of hIs country's birds will come to our ai6 however, I believe that we shall soon see the national government nlaced in control of this serious situ- ation"