The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-28
PLEAD FOR LAWS
TO PROTECT GAME
Distinguished Men Ask ior State
Commissioner and Hunters
License Fec.
GAME BECOMING EXTINCT
Fell House Committee
How Birds Help. MIR
ginia Farmer.

To emphasize tho widespread de-
fective protection of game in this
state, many representatives of the.
Audubon Society OF Virginia were
ga theredrfIrs the hail of 4 he H louise of
Delegates yesterday afternoon. The
House Commit tee on. General Laws had
under consideration all of the many
game bills introduced at this session.
and which are further taken TO indi-
cate the public interest In the propo-
sition.
Captain Jennings croppcr Wise was
the first speaker. He warmly COM
mended the provisions OF the Alabama
law, whose requirements are contained
in a bill proposed by John Ruther-
foord, of Goochlnnd. He wanted any
effective bill. but thought the results
attained In Alabama an argument for
that particular measure. 1t provides
for the appointment of II state Game
Commissioner at salary OF $4,000 q
year. Every person. before he can
hunt, must secure; a license, to be
Issued by the clerk CT his county or
city court under the supervision of
the game commissioner. To hunt in
one county for year would require
payment OF n fee OF ST.. for tho entire
State, SO. No fee will be required OF
an owner to hunt on his own land.
Makes Money for state.
1T has been found. in many States
that these fees more than pay all cx-
rcnsss of the game commissioner,
leaving often a good surplus to go
into the treasury of the State. in
fact. said Captain Wise. ut one time
there was more money In this fund
in Alabama than In the States strong
box.
Tho people who kill the game pay
for It's protection under this law
concluded Captain Wise. They pay a
small fee for the exercise of n lcgiti-
mate pleasure. This is no time for
halfway measures. This Is no time
to pay attention to the voices of those
who want TO destroy game for profit.
If they ARE heard much longer there
will be no need for a State Game Com
missioner for there will be nothing
left for him to protect"
AS he took his seat, Captain Wise
was given general 3plause from the
Audubon Society delegation present,
and from others In the hall.
State Being Denudcd.
The next speaker was DR.. T. s..
Palmer, director OF the Biological Sur
vey of the National Department Of
Agriculture He told OF the. almost in
conceivable number of quail, pheasants
and shore bros shipped from Vir-
ginia to the Northern markets. For
Instance. last season there We're
shipped $4,000 wild waterfowl from
Accomac and Northampton counties
alone. and 1900 moro from Norfolk
and Princess Anne. He displayed q
net used for the capture of black duck.
contrary to law, because local game
wardens do not do their full duty.
Maps were exhibited by DR.. Palmer.
showing that there are only six States
which have no game commission, VIZ
ginia being one. 1wo-thirds Of the
states have the 81 hunting license fee.
virginia has been constructing her
building for the care OF game for more
than zoo years" hqs concluded. THE
time has como to put on the roof. The
game commissioner Will see to 1t that
the local officials do their duty, and
Will discharge those who do not.
The operation of such game laws
have been OF great value to the farm
ers. in the opinion of John Bird Burn
| ham, president of the American Game
Protection and Propagation Association
At first, he said, many Of them do not
und erstand, but after Its operation has
been demonstrated they prove It's
staunchest defenders. He hoped Vir-
ginia would not be left behind in this
| movement. y
Is Farmers owe Much 10 Birds
II. Gilbert Pearson. of New York,
president of the American Audubon
Society, said the South is being stripped
OF game to supply tho North There
arc ale species of wild birds In Vir-
ginia, nearly all of value to the farmer.
He told graphic stories of the enor-
nous consumption OF destructive bugs
and insects by birds, and all to the
profit of the farmer
DO you know what Is the worst
thing with which we have TO contend! 2
CONTINUED on second page0