The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1912-11-21
FOR PROTECTION
OF Wild LIFE
MUCH-NfEDED MEASURE
BILL WILL BE PREPARED FOR
PASSAGE AT NEXT SESSION
OF LEGISLATURE.

Little Rock, Nov. 18.-One of the
most important bills, for the benefit
of the Arkansas farmer, which the
next legislature will have to consider,
is a proposed measure for the protec-
ton of the wild life of the state; and,
since birds are recognized as the most
effective enemies of the codlingmoth,
the boil weevil, the army worm and
other destructive insects, every farm
er in the state should interest himself
in this bill and urge his representa-
tives and senators to vote for it and
work for it. The time has come when
the farmers of Arkansas can no long
er afford to sit idly by and permit
the birds of the country to be killed.
The bill that has been prepared by
tive Association should meet with the
approval of every farmer and should
receive the support of every member
of the next general assembly who has
the interests of the farmers at heart.
The bill provides for a conservative
commission, defining its duties and
powers and constituting it depart
ment of the state government; pro-
vldes for the necessary employees and
defines their qualifications, duties and
powers in relation to the protection of
birds, fish and wild quadrupedss to
conserve the forestry and mineral re-
sources of the state; to provide for
the payment of the salaries and ex-
penses of the commission, and for the
revenues to maintain the same; to
provide for the establishment of pub
lie and private preserves and Propa-
eating grounds for game and fish; to
authorize the conservation commission
created to discharge the duties and
functions, heretofore exercised by the
board of commissioners. for the pro-
lection of birds, game and fish, and
the duties heretofore created, and the
duties heretofore assigned tn the de-
partment of forestry and the depart
ment of mining and minerals; to au-
thorize the new commission to repre-
senb the other commissions as de-
PENDANT IN any litigation that might
be pending; to- provide penalties for
a violation of the provisions of the
act.
The proposed bill also provides for
the conservation of the natural re-
sources OF the state, including the
wild life on the land and in the wat
ers, also the soil, mineral and fores-
try of the state; TO provide code of
laws, governing the conservation of
the natural resources of the state; to
vest in the state the title to all the
wild life in the state and 20 provide in
what manner such wild life may be
made subjecs to private ownership;
to regulate the time when and the
manner in which, and the number of
various species of Wild life that may
be taken, and when they may not be
taken; ta define what shall be consid-
cred game birds and game fish; to
prohibit the sale Of certain game birds
and wild quadrupeds; to provide for
the establishment and regulation of
game preserves and resting places,
and prohibiting trespass or depreda-
ton thereon; to regulate the taking of
fish in the waters of the state and the
shipment and sale of such fish in the
state; to provide for the eonfscation
of unlawful fishing devices; to pro-
vide for the propagation of fish and
! the establishment of fish preserves; to
prohibit the taking of fish under GER
| tain circumstances; to prevent the de-
struction of fish by certain means and
the pollution Of the waters of the
state, and the obstruction of the pas
sage of fish; to regulate the taking of
wild deer and other wild quadrupeds;
to provide adequate penalties for the
violation Of any of these provisions.
1t is a remarkable fact that Arkan-
sas is the only state that has no gen.
eral laws for the preservation of game
and fish, and in consequence the sup
ply is being rapidly decimated. 1t is
condition that has appealed to the
game and fish conservationists of the
whole country, who are joining with
the Arkansas interests in educating
the people toward an understanding
of the situation, that they may make
an effective demand for the necessary
legislation.