Connecticut western news., 1913-01-16
NEW GAME POLICY
State OrnithoIogist H. K. Job Advo-
 cates Important Changer

cates Important Changer
 The fact that strong organizations of sportsmen, fisherslen, and nature-lovers are arising in Connecticut for the pur. pose of securing change in the existing conditions as related to fisheries and game, together with widespread eXpres- sion of individual dissatisfaction, is suggestive. One of these organizations has increased Of late we'll on toward the one thousand mark of membership. The chief plank in their platform is the se- curing of d single headed commission of 1 fisheries and game. Their argument is that under the three headed system it has proved practically impossible for those intelligently interested in birds, game and fish, to get what they want done in the line of progressive, up-to date measures. They also say that un der the system of divided responsibility each member shelters himself behind the others, and the whole system, whether bipartisan or otherwise, gets hopelessly involved in politics. If there were but one head, those iHtere sted in fisheries and game could make known their wishes. and if the commissioner dld not come up to the mark they would know just what to do.
 Of course thIs Is no pauacea. If an ignorant, crafty politician were ap pointed, it would be as disheartening as l,o 1,I ever. this principle of single personal responsibility is the soundest and strong est, aud is being adopted more and more in modern government.
 Following is a platform that I would suggest for new policy of fisheries and game Details, of course, could be var jed, but as to tue main principles l be- lieve that any man or men who aspire to make notable record of public ser vice would have no reason to be ashamed of them :-
 T. Adopt the policy of the propaga- tion of game birds, especially native species, both by semi. artificial and natu- raj methods. Import no more foreign birds for direct distribution. Establish Central State Game Farm on the state tract of The Connecticut Agricultural College. Employ as superintendent an expert game breeder who has had large success. Breed quail and Oregon pheas- ants for immediate distribution, and ex pertinent with other species. Also dis tribute eggs of game-birds for matching. Train the warden force in methods of feeding and protecting wild game, and in those of feedlrg and attracting song and insectivorous birds used by the Ger man government. Extend the system of state reserves for game and bird life, including added reserves specially for the breeding. attracting and protection of wild fowl. particularly wild ducks.
 II. (ExtensiOn work.) By printing matter and supervision instruct and assist farmers, land owners and sports. men in the propagation of game birds and wildfowl. Go operate with the pri- vate game preserves in propagation and increase of game. Cooperate with the Connecticut Agricultural College in training students and poultry school attendants to become expert game pro- pagators, to fill good positions which are already waiting. Start branch game farms over the state as rapidly as exped- ient, and employ these train cd men to run them. Encourag ge game breeding as an industry.
 III. Tone up the game-warden ser vice in line with methods similar to the civil service, as recently adopted in Mas sachusetts. as follows: Select wardens by competitive examination. Have a chief warden and small staff of rang CTS, on salary and giving their entire time. Pay local deputy wardens at least small annual fee, as funds allow, and expect tbem to do some real work Make promotion by merit. Abolish pol itics from the service.
 W. Regulate distribution of fish, preventing distribution Tn private wa ters contrary to law, and 6lso the subse- quent posting of waters stocked with state fish: Secure open stocked waters for public use. Increase the supply of tigerling fish, and discourage the distri- button of fry.
 V. Institute fuApubhcity as policy, both as to methods and expenditures. Establish regular publicity system, to obviate complaint that things are done in the dark, and give out frequent and ungarbled information, both of success and failure, which is the right of the public who pays the bills. Use the hunting license fund only for the in-. crease, protection and propagation of game.
 VI. Strictly keep out politics from the entire department, without doing. winch full efficiency is impossible. Put everything on thesbest possible business basis cOuriinp suUgpStionS and nm hlin-