Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-07
Making a total area of ,

ties ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ...........l0 1860
Making total area of ......,...... 1924
Tie a.,d of the whole state of
Maine Is .,.........-..... ........... .33,OfD
New Hampshire OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 1905
efHlont -...-....-......-. .-....,....- 9l31
Massachusetts OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Sh'h
Rhode Island observation-disclosures. .a3i
connecticut ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $3.50
Now here in the four counties of East
ern Maine that would he most seriously
affected ny this bill We have an area
much larger than any other New Eng
land state; where. by the uncontradcted
testimony given before the committee on
inland fisheries and game, there are
many more moose than ever before:
when they are more plenty than deer.
and where they are to be found in album
dance. These counties represent an area
of more than one-third of all Maine-an
area twice as large as Connecticut and
Rhode Island combined; more than a
third larger than Massachusetts; an area
larger than Massachusetts and Rhode
Island with a population of over 200 900
or very nearly one-third of the popula-
ton of the whole State of Maine
Now the proposition is to deprive the
people of this vast section of our State
of the privilege of killing or trying to
kill Il bull moose during one month in
the Sear-Nevember Why, More moose
will die of old age during this period of
proposed close time. than would be
killed under the law of today | be-
lieNe a law declaring close time on
bull moose for four years. would deal
the death knell to the business of
scores and scores of the people of east
ern and northern Maine and hunters
and guides who. for the past 10 years
have built up a prosperous business.
and in most cases invested their yearly
savings III heautifying and better
equipping their camps for the better
enjoyment of the hunters and sports
men who have been coming to our
State in such large numbers for the
purpose of hunting our large game. the
moose.
| believe we should not discriminate
against this large body of our common
people who have become reconciied and
contented with out present game low
on moose. / wish To ask you members
of this House. as honest men. what do
yon Think will become of this large
number OF men, and their families, who
have invested their money in building
up a business as we'll as making a life
STUDY of the forest and its game :?
Is il logical, is il consistent With the
ethics of good government that We
should discriminate against a people
who are in pursuit of a business that
will give them their daily bread and
l do not for moment believe that
this bill, working against the great in
terests of our people, rs it does, viii
be upheld. 1t is claimed by the orig
inators of this bill that they are very
anxious To protect our moose. The
counties of Aroostook and Washington
extend the entire length of the east
ern boundary of Maine of over two
hundred miles in length, connecting
with the province of New Brunswick
by established border lines. Is it not
fair to suppose should the proposed
bill become a law for four years, that
we will, without any question, be pro-
tecting the people and hunters of New
Brunswick who will guard the frontier
the whole length of our eastern bor-
der, and secure a large amount of the
game that should he for our people"
While our guides and hunters stand
idly by waiting with patience for the
proposed four years of close time to
pass by, that they may stand on the
same footing as their neighbors
across the border in New Brunswick
Should this bill become law, l be-
ueve il will Work much hardship and
grave dissention among the people Of
Eastern Maine | believe we are here
to enact laws consistent with the spir-
it of the times-progressive but sane
wholesome but not arbitrary, for the
common people, as well as for the rich
man.
Maine is the play ground of the ma
ton. We entertain tourists and hunt
ers. nearly 100000 every year who an
nually expend over $25000,000 Our
State valuation has been increased by
the cottage and camp builders to
very large proportion. The great prog
ress that we have made clearly illus
trates our possibilities. We have 1868
lakes; we have IA river systems; our
lakes and rivers receive the water
from 5151 streams. Upon our sea coast
and shores of our lakes, rivers and
streams. we have accommodation for
Il large part oil our entire national
population, and our hospitality is so
open and generous that we would like
to have them come and stay with us
at least during vacation season.
In recitine the glores of Maine. we
must not lose sight of the potent fact
that should this bin become a law.
what attractions will we have to Of
fer Il great many OF the nunIei. "a
sportsmen who come here from all
over our great nation?
Nor have we any assurance that this
great herd of moose that in the last
few years have moved down to the
eastern section of Maine from northern
Penobscet. Piscataquis and Somerset
counties, Will stay there. Close time
ON COW and calf moose did not prevent
them from leaving their former haunts
and moving down into this new terri
tory. Their next move. when their feed
is exhausted, as it will be by the time
this proposed close time will have ex-
pired, will be nobody knows where.
Historical facts show that they change
their feeding grounds as feed becomes
scarce.
IL