New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-01-13
THE ENTERPRISE AND
OBJ rver. Consolidated
Subscription $l.bO Per Annum
N. ". FISHER, editer lhd PIoDrlei0.
CHARLES w. WARD HOPES
STATE WILL NOT RETRO.
GRADE IN CONSERVA-
TTON.

ny, gave TO the State Of Louisiana
some 10000 acres for a game re-
fuge and preserve, was in New
Orleans yesterday and spoke in
defense of the conservation laws
of Louisiana. 1t was due mainly
to the fact that Louisiana has fine
conservation laws that Mr.. Ward
was induced to leave Michigan
and investhaavily in Louisiana.
Mr.. Ward expects sto see the
day when, with the Louisiana
marshes as key, a line OF game
refugees will extend from the Gulf
Of Mexico to the Arctic Circle. He
has recently purchased the ANA
teur Sportsman. Of New York,
and with the March issue it will
come out as the Game World. He
will employ the best game and
kindred editorial men in the
country. Knowing well the re-
sources Of Louisiana and being m
terested in the state, he will ad-
vertise louisiana AZ much as pos
sible.
In yesterdays Picayune there
was an article in which the con-
servation laws OF Louisiana were
defended by Henry f. Hardtner,
who y the author Of the conserva-
laws Of the state. Concerning
this, Mr.. Ward said:
"The Hon. Mr.. Hsrdtner's re-
marks in yesterdays Picayune in
defense Of Louisiana's conserva-
tion laws recalls to my memory
that these same laws were the
cause Of my coming to Louisiana
and finally making substantial in.
vestments.
Having large timber interests
in Michigan. had naturally
looked to that state to establish
some practical system Of conser-
vation laws, but when that was
attempted the political machine
controlled by Governor Warner
was arrayed against it, and the
desired measures were defeated.
AT this period my attention
was called to the excellent conser-
vatbn laws Of Louisiana, and a.
ter looking into the measures |
decided to dispose of the larger
share Of my Michigan holdings
and invest the capital realized
therefrom in Louisiana, and did
30 to the extent Of purchasing
large tracts Of land IN vermilion
Parish, a considerable portion OF
which was decided to the Game
Commission Of Louisiana for q
permanent wild.fowl refuge.
subsequently, comprehensive
plans were formulated to estab-
lish an effective continental sys-
TEN Of wild-fowl refugees that
would insure the perpetual main
tenance Of Louisiana's winter
game supply, which Is one Of her
most valuable assets.
"While these plans were still
incomplete the present political
controversy arose. in which the
conservation policy Of the state
has been assailed to such an extent
a. to arrest the plans for estab-
fishing continental system Of
game refugees, for the reasons fol-
lowing:
sIn order to secure sufficient
lands for refuge purposes It will
be necessary to provide a pur-
chasing fund amounting eventual
" to several millions Of dollars.
by subscription, donations OF
lands by private individuals, state
appropriations, and the formation
Of refugees by the National Gov
ernment.
"The southern half Of Louisiana
Is the key to the migratory wild
fowl situation in the central part
OF the continent, a. here occurs
the greatest winter congestion OF
migratory birds, and unless Louis
lana maintains q system OF con-
servation laws which meet with
the approval Of the majority OF
the inhabitants Of her neighbor-
inc states. and those lying to the
north az we'll, continental conser-
vation Of the wild fowl supply
will receive a setback which will
take many years to overcome.
"Since the attacks upon the
Commission for the Conservation
Of Game. Fish and Oysters have
assumed snch political proml.
nence my hands have been tied
and I have not been able to make
that progress IN forwarding the
national game conservation move
ment which would have been pos
sible had such attacks not been
made, for / cannot consistently
ak ior large donations Of capital
for game refuge purposes unless
the conservation policy Of Louis
lana is made permanent and IT.
future removed from the exigen-
cies Of political misfortune.
- Conservation commissions
must be maintained. - where
properly constituted, with proper
powers and support, they have
been proved the most ehiciens
means Of accomplishing great pnb.
lie works in al the most advanced
countries on the globe.
"The present conservation Lawn
Of Louisiana were Sufficiently at
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