The independent-reporter., 1910-07-14
Me-, FISH AND GAME
COMMISSION
Blaine S. Viles is the
Youngest Member
An Expert Forester and Young Man
of Modest Manner and Determined
Character.


Blaine S. viles, the son Of Hon. E.
payson Viles of this town, who was
recently appointed as a member OF
the State of Maine Game and Fish
commission, is the youngest member
ever appointed, and he has already
had considerable experience for this
work. The Lewiston Journal speaks
in the following complimentary man
ner of Mr.. Viles:
There is no reason why the busi-
ness of the fish and game commits
sion cannot be run in manner sat
isfactory to the people,"
When the newest member OF the
Maine fish and game commission
made that statement his expression
indicated he was sincere. He bellev-
ed it himself and SO far as he was
concerned everything possible to
hiring that condition of things about
would be done. His square jaws
came together firmly, his eyes car
ried that look of determination which
Is convincing and above all the man
ner in which he spoke carried weight.
Modesty characterized his whole
hearing. His words were spoken In
a moderate tone, slowly but with no
drawl.
Blaine s. Viles, for he is the new
est member of the commission, is
likely to surprise many people De-
fore he has long been In office.
Comparatively few had ever heard
of him the morning his name was
h1o I'd nf
five chamber at the Blaine mansion as
the governors choice for third MEM
her of the board Those who had
heard his name, instantly connected
him with forestry in the modern
sense of the word. Many questioned
his fitness for the place. Where did
he get the necessary experience, was
common question. 1t was and has
been generally accepted that the
members of this board should have
some experience in the work, should
know something about the protection
of fish and game. so far as the pub
lie knew, Mr. Viles lacked this, for
his name had never been connected
with the work.
Yet probably no man ever was ap-
pointed to a membership on the COM
mission of inland fish and game o1
Maine who was more thoroughly
fitted through actual experience than
this same young man.
A broad statement that, but 1t car
be backed up by facts. For years
Blaine Viles has had charge of thf
largest game preserve In this coun-
try and one of the greatest in tbs
world In that capacity it has beer
necessary for him to study the ques
tions, to learn the best methods o1
caring for game and, above all else
to deal with poachers in way bes
suited to stop their depredations
That he has made good, would seem
to answer all inquiries as to his fit
ness to serve on the Maine board.
A YOUNG MAN.
Not only Is he the newest member
of the board, but he is the youngest
Add to that fact that he is the young
est man ever appointed to place
on this commission, for he will bt
only 81 years of age on the twenty
second day of this month.
North New Portland in the county
of Somerset was the place in which
his eyes first saw the light of day
That event occurred in 1879. He Ii
the son of Payson Viles of Skowhe
gan. The story of the early years
OF his life is about the same as tina
of any other wide awake young man
He attended the public schools o
Skowhegan, gave the teachers th'
usual amount of veXation, studied
recited and had about the average
rank. Sometimes he missed Whel
the schools of his home town were
Lnht tvI h. lac aim, fifafas
and entered Bowdoin college, gradu
ating in the class of 1903.
During the summer vacations, while
student at Bowdoin, he worked
with government survey parties II
the woods and became interested il
forestry. After graduating from
Bowdoin, he went to the Yale schoo
of Forestry for two years, gradual
ing with the degree of master forest
er. While there he continued his
work with the government parties II
vacation. At the end of his seconC
year he took the civil service ex
animation, passing with excellen
rank
While student in the Yale for
estry school he became intimately ae
quainted with the leading exponden
OF modern forestry. Clifford Pinchot
the founder of the school From hin
he gained much valuable informa
ton and learned many things which
have proven of inestimabie value e
him since entering on life for him
self
WENT TO BIG GAME REsERVA
TION.
About this time a proposition WA
made to him to become the forestel
Tor the association which owns Cor
bin park near Portland. N. n This
is tract of $4,000 acres. entirely
fenced In. making IL the biggest
fenced game preserve In this country
II was established about 20 years agc
by Austin Corbln of New York foI
the purpose of perpetuating game. In
making the preserve. IL Was neces
sary to purchase 66 different parcels
OF land. The park includes forests
helds, mountain. stream and lake.
On this tract are deer. moose. eik
Wild boar and a heard OF 100 buffalo
Inc herd OF deer numbers not less
than 5000, while there are between
one and two fhauaaud Atid koarR Tbs