The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-12
DYCHE IN REPLY.
Fish and Game Warden Makes
Long Statement.
Covers the History Of His De-
partment.
MAKES COMPARISON
OF Old and New Methods Of Con-
Quoting Office.
COMPARISON
Collected More Money in 0 Than
Travis in IL Months,

Prof. L. L. Dyche has spent the past
week in drawing UP his reply to the
charges made against him by ex-War-
den Del Travis at a recent meeting Of
the Kansas Sportsmen's association.
The answer is voluminous and covers
all the history of the fish and game de-
partment of the state past and present
as FLOWS:
"Since returning from a delivery of
stock fish in the northwestern part Of
the state I learn that my department.
and its management, has been attacked
by the former state fish and game war
cen, Mr.. Travis. I am told that the at
tack is a feature of machine politics,
but as to that I am totally uniformed
personally, as I know nothing what
ever about politics or political motives.
For SO years-or a third of a century
I have been connected with the depart
ment of natural history, in the State
university, with no conscious purpose
but the service of the public and the
advancement of scientific knowledge. I
am drawing no pay from the state as
fish and game warden. 1 am simply
under detail from the University TO
place the fish hatchery on sound
business and scientific foundation that
its usefulness to the people of Kansas
Oo lIlCT0dS6Q- L IOlQ governor
Stubs, when he asked the regents to
detail me for this work, that 1 could
not accept the place under political
domination for the reason that / could
not sacrifice science to politics, even il
1 understood politics. The governor not
only cheerful1.r agreed with me in this
but he authorized me to reorganize the
service on a serviceable nonpartisan
basis.
"Mr. Travis, as I understand it, had
managed the fish hatchery in connec-
ton with the private management Of
his ranch, and that being of consider
able advantage to him he naturally
sought a reappointment. Not having
been favored I suppose he is simply fol-
lowing custom of practical politics by
knocking on the work of the admin
istration that did not prefer his claims
to office.
"Mr Travis charges that there is at
least $4,000 of the revenue from the
sale of hunting licenses, still uncollect-
ed, in the hands of county officers.
This is either very great misrepre-
sentation of fact or very severe in
dictment against himself; for during
the last ten months $29, 900 have been
collected or $4,000 more than was col
lected under the last full fiscal year
of his administration. Add the $29, 900
collected to the $4,000 which Mr. Travis
says remains uncollected and the sum
represents an annual revenue of S79 900
AS the revenue reported by Mr.. Travis
during his last year in office was only
500, 900 in all it is very easy to see that
he is either deceiving the public now,
or allowed a discrepancy of $4,000 a
year to occur under his own manage
ment. Whatever revenue is uncollect-
ed is in the hands of the county clerks
and is ready to be turned in. presume,
when the legal collector of the state,
which is the state treasurer, and not
me, demands it.
No Money on Hand.
"Mr. Travis also charges that the
game and fish laws are not being en-
forced. In a measure this may be true,
but Mr.. Travis might be fair enough to
add that there was no appropriation
made by the last legislature for the
game and fish department. The license
fees even can not be used. The only
money available is given by the gov
ernor from his contingent fund and
that is mostly used to prevent enorm-
GUS loss to a valuable plant by disuse
and decay. But even with this handi-
cap we can show. think, by court rec
ords, captured nets and other evidence
that the laws relating to our depart
ment are better enforced now than at
any time under the wardenship of Mr..
Travis. notwithstanding the fact that
he had thousands of dollars appro-
priated to him for travelling wardens
and other politically selected agents
who saw to it that no pheasants were
shot out of season in the lobby of the
Copeland hotel and that political traps
were properly set at county conven-
lions, meetings of sportsmen's associa-
tions and other likely places.
The hatchery is being allowed TO
run down., said Mr.. Travis. I was at
the grounds last Saturday and of the
eleven fish ponds but two are full of
water. One-half of the balance are
from one-half to one-third full, and the
balance are completely dry. You can
guess what the fish increase will be
this year at that rate
1.-THE hatchery is not run down-it is
in as good and I believe ir much bet
ter condition now than I found it De-
cember 1st when I entered upon my
duties as fish and game warden. The
present warden has no money to make
improvements, only small allowance
from the governors contingent fund
for very necessary expenses in caring
for the ponds, and distributing young
fish to the ponds and streams of the
state. Il was on the grounds last Sat-
urday,' says Mr.. Travis; yes. and 1 was
told that it was mighty early in the
morning, too. 1 am well informed
that you might have added also
that you We're on the gro unds some
time ago about II O'Clock at night.
Most people visit the hatchery during
the business part of the Gay when the
warden, or someone representing him,
is there. have called on you a num-
Der of times, Mr.. Travis. az your house
and have been courteousIy treated. If
you will return one or more of those
calls at the proper time at the hatch
cry 1 will make an effort to extend you
the same kind Of treatment
of the eleven fish ponds says Mr..
Travis, but two We're full of water
About the Fish Ponds
1--WE keep none of the ponds full of
water at this season of the year The
waves undermine and cut the banks
too badly. Last Saturday there was
water sufficient for the fish considering
the circumstances in all the ponds ex-
cept two and these had no fish in
them. One of these, a small retaining
pond had just been drained. SO that
the small fish n1iuht he rom n1.ad and