The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-03-23
FIGHT FOR BIRD LAWS.
Thousands Rally Against Monied Interests
Attack Begun on Protective Laws. Feath-
er and Market Men Push It.

A"VSAo0AAAAo NdlIy <1&o1AaSs NssssSeSSy
Attack Begun on Protective Laws. Feath-
er and Market Men Push It.
New YORK, March goth. To meet the
onslaught of vast commercial interests
that have begun a fierce fight to break
down bird protective laws in many legis-
latures throughout the country, call for
the support of every American woman,
farmer and business man who must de-
pend upon agricultural prosperity, has
been issued from the headquarters Of the
National Association of Audubon Socie-
ties in this city. While rich millinery
and market firms are known to be des-
perately working to make in this State
the first breach in the wall OF legal pro-
lection that has only recently been flung
about it's bird life, leaders in the oranges,
civic organizations and women's clubs in
every section are offering their help to.
rouse the people to defeat the schemes
of the commercial bird butchers. If the
interests succeed in killing this States
safeguards on bird life, their powerful
raids will be next directed at the laws
that protect game and insect eating wild
birds in California, Massachusetts, Ore
gon, Louisiana, Missouri and other States,
it is declared
AS basis for the battle of the people
against the commercial forces that would
| fatten on the relics of American bird
life, the Audubon workers are offering
their national organizations which can
count on 1900 active members scattered
| through thirty-nine States of the Union.
Each of these men and women is being
urged to rally the people Of his or her
community to protest against the de-
struction of State bird protective laws
that is being cunningly pressed by agents
of the millinery and market combina-
tons. Leaders in the national scientific,
archaeological and geological organiza-
tons, as we'll as the National Federation
of Women's Clubs have been pledged to
cooperate in this urgent appeal to the
people.
Legislation to revive spring shooting
and kill game storage laws for the selfish
ends of the game butcher has been in
PRODUCED in this State, and the milliners
are now backing bill which will nullify
the effect of the law protecting insect
eating birds that the Audubon associa-
ton helped to put on the statute books
after years of successful opposition from
the powerful millinery forces. Special
funds are being raised at Audubon head
quarters here by individual contributions
to enable expert ornithologists to go to
Albany and point out the danger to the
nations crops and game resources in
such measures.
"Years of effort and accomplishment
toward legally guarding the birds that
save our crops from destruction by insect
pests, as we'll as our waning game fiocks.
will be wasted if the milliners and mar
ket men win even one victory in this cru
cial contest" said T. Gilbert Pearson,
secretary of the National Association of
Audubon Societies, at its headquarters,
al Broadway ''We know that other
State legislatures are watching the eff
forts of the commercial interests to over
throw bird protective laws in the Empire
State, and that if they succeed the effect
will be to break down all barriers against
the forces that are constantly plotting to
destroy American bird life for their own
gain. In this critical time we can only
count upon the moral and financial sup
port of everv man. woman and child in
this country who would be benefited by
the perpetuation of our economically
valuable bird resources.
Don't thirlc that railas ca1a,t he cilrad Thou.