The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-06-07
CAMPAIGN TO SAVE
THE INSECT EATERS

|
the insect-eating birds, whose destruc
ton caused crop loss of almost a
| billion dollars to this country in the
last year. will be made a campaign is
sue throughout the nation as a result
OF general movement which was or
! sanized in this city. Backed by the
| oranges and other bodies representing
the farmers, orchardists, ranchmen
, and planters OF every section of the
| land, the National Association of Au-
| dubon societies is preparing to obtain
from every present and prospective
| representative OF the people in every
state In the union definite declarations
of their stand on this question of the
conservation of the bird resources of
the commonwealth. Where the forces
of the milliners have been able to ex-
ert political pressure to legalize their
poaohing upon the feathered guardians
of the crops, the people Will rise this
year to demand that their own inter
ests be protected.
Representing an industry valued at
less than S12 000a000, few Broad
way feather dealers have just sue
ceeded in defeating in this state the
Francis bill for the protection of the
insect-eating birds. behind which ag-
ricultural interests worth more than
a billion dollars we're Solidly arrayed.
In spite OF the united efforts of the
$4,000 farmers represented in the
state grange and the Audubon work
ers, who were backed by the press
and people of almost every community
In the state. II has been reported that
"a Irlp Of 1aU Nxuh al
influence was undoubtedly used to pre-
vent any open consideration OF the
bill on the floor OF either branch of
the legislature" had with other mach
nations Of the milliners resulted in
legalizing for another year their traf-
fic In property that belongs to the
state. AS first step In the general
national campaign for the birds who
guard the crops, the record of each
legislator on this matter will be sub.
mitted TO his constituents and every
effort made TO secure from each dis
trict In this state representatives at
Albany next year who will be pledged
to heed this strong demand from their
agricultural supporters.
California. Missouri and Oklahoma
have just been reported as adopting
laws defending their bird crop guards
against the rayages OF the feather
dealers. which are substantially the
same as the bill which the mllliners
have just strangled in this state. Sim
liar laws forbidding the sale OF posses
sion of the plumage, skin or body of
the insecteating, non-game birds, "ir-
respective of whether said bird was
captured or killed within or without
the state" and are already in force
and working for the protection of the
farmers in Iowa, Louisiana, Massachu-
setts. Michigan, Mississippi. South
Carolina and West Virginia From
every other state and territory In the
land communications arc being re-
ceived at the headquarters of the
movement urging an immediate effort
to rouse the people to campaign for
their feathered crop protectors against
the forces OF the mlllinthy interests.
IF the people of this country are
ever going to stop the mil!incrs from
killing the birds that would save them
a billion dollars each year If left
alive, now is the time for them TO act"
said William butcher, president Of the
National Association of Audubon So.
cieties. at its headquarters. 141 Broad
way. "a disgraccful display of politi-
cal pull has this year turned over to
the feather dealers in this state its
Wild birds that have been proved to
save by fighting off insects, more
value in crops in few seasons than
the whole millinery industry is worth.
Now We are going to take this great
economic question to the people in this
state and in every part of the land.
We believe that all patriotic Ameri-
cans who would preserve their coun-
try's agricultural wealth Will join with
us to domand from their representa-
tives a pledge to prevent the millin-
ers from further profiting by the kill
ing of these insocteating. non-gamc
birds at the expense Of billions of dol
lars to the crops Of the land"