The log cabin Democrat., 1912-11-18
FOR PROTECTION OF WILD LIFE
MUCH-NEEDED MEASURE
BILL WILL BE PREPARED FOR
 PASSAGE AT NEXT SESSION OF LEGISLATURE

Little Rock, Nov. 19.-One of the most important bills, for the benefit of the Arkansas farmer, which the next legislature will have to consider, | is proposed measure for the protec- tion 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 CT 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, CT afford to sit idly by and permit the birds of the country to be killed.
 The bill that has been prepared by the Arkansas Game and Fish Protec- 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 conservative commission, defining it's duties and powers and constituting it depart ment of the state government; pro- vides for the necessary empolyes and defines their qualifications, duties and powers in relation to the protection of birds, fish and wild quadrupeds; 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- gating 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 to the de- partment of forestry and the depart ment of mining and minerals; to au- thorize> the new commission to repre- sent the other commissions as de- fendant in any litigation that might be pending; to provide penalties for 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 CTS, 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 to provide in what manner such wild life may be made subject 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; to 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 contiscation 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 cer- 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.
 It 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. It 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.