The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-06
wHlppLE is OFT
Head of New York Fish and Game
DEPARTMENT Resians

AT any. Oct Governor Hughes
has received and accepted the resig-
nation of James s. Whipple of Sala-
manoa as state forest fish and game
commissioner. Before the governor
retires from Office Thursday or Fri.
day he will appoint a successor to
Mr. Whipple.
The resignation is the result of a
report made to Governor Hughes yes
terday by Commissioners Roger P.
Clark and II Leroy Austin, who re-
Gently concluded an investigation of
the department.
Mr. Whipple was first appointed
conn issioner by the late Governor
Frank w. Higgins in 1905 and was re-
appointed BY Governor Hughes. His
term would have expired April II,
1912
Mr. Whipple in resigning wrote to
Cove nor Hughes in part as follows.
"This is not the time to discuss
either the facts or the conclusions
set IN in the report but | do emphat-
ically deny the truth of the facts sta
ted and disagree from the conclus-
ions reached recognize however
that rs a result of this report my use
funess to the state in this depart
ment has been destroyed.
81 have held this position for six
years | was not an applicant for the
position. / have come to appreciate
the great Importance of the work of
the state. The field covered Is so
large that much Of 1t must be lntrust-
ed to subordinates. That a critical
examination covering six years Of my
administration would disclose errors
of Judgment and mistakes made
should be expected. I will only say
that my conscience acquts me of any
intentional neglect or dereliction Of
duty It is a thousand times more
important that this great work should
go on and that it should not become
a subject OF political contention than
that ! should retain the office.
For these reasons to relieve you
of any embarrassment and without
solicitation on the part Of any one, I
respectfully tender my resignation. -
Governor Hughes in response TO
the letter Of resignation wrote Mr.
Whipple as follows:
1T is Impossible for me adequate
ly to express the regret that I feel
at the conditions which the investi
cation of your department has shown
to exist
Your work has been strongly com
mended to me by those who are in.
terested in the protection of the for
ests and in the conservation Of the
states interest IN these important re-
sources. You should have full cred
It with respect to those matters in
which there has been increased effic
iency: and ! desire TO believe and
accept your statement that you have
not been guilty Of wrong intention.
But the conditions which have
been shown TO exist cannot be ignor
ed and must be Immediately rectified
Your resignation is accepted ant
under the statute took effect when 4
was received and filed In this office. "
Speaker James w. Wadsworth who
Is the present chairman OF the stat,
forest purchasing board, the mem
bership changing each two years
with the election Of new state ofiic
falls, and who has been In consulta
ton with Governor Hughes for sew
eral days regarding the criticisms
contained in the report. has assured
Governor Hughes by letter that III,
system governing the purchase o
Adirondack lands and the searching
Of titles will be perfected and streng
thened. in order that all criticism
may be met Speaker Wadswortl
points out that the state has purchas
ed $4,000 acres in the Adirondack
at an average Of SAP. an acre ant
says that this land is worth far NOR
than has been paid for II.
/