The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-03-13
song. are migratory and hereafter VIII
be protected by Uncle Sam
Scope of the Measure.

Scope of the Measure.
Here is section of the bill which
shows definitely what 1t is intended
to do:
"All wild geese. wild swans. brant.
wild ducks, snipe, plover woodcock,
rail, wild pigeons. and all other migra-
tory game and insectivorous birds
which in their northern and southern
migrations pass through or do not re,
main permaE entity the entire year
within the borders OF any state OF
territory, shall hereafter be deemed
to be within the custody and protec.
ton of the government of the United
States, and shall not be destroyed or
taken contrary to regulations here
nbefore provided therefor"
AS things are to be In the future,
the department of agriculture will
adopt regulations prescribing and fix
ing closed seasons, having due regard
to the zones OF temperature, breeding
habits and times and lines of migra
tory flight. thereby enabling the de-
partment to select and designate suit
able districts for different birds Of the
country, land it shall be unlawful to
shoot or by any device kill or seize
and capture migratory birds within the
protection of this law during said
closed season, and any person who
shall violate any of the provisions or
regulations of this law for the pro
lection Of migratory birds shall be
guilty of misdemeanor and shall be
fined not more than 500 or impris-
oned not more than ninety days. or
both, in the discretion of the court
Support Almost Unanimous.
The influences for this federal legis-
lation for the protection Of birds
which it was feared rapidly were be-
coming extinct, were eXerted from
every state in the Union. There was
no sectionaism in it. and few persons
raised the plea of states rights in or
der to defeat the measure. 1t Is said
that public opinion all over the United
States had become so aroused because
song birds that all bubbles were put
aside and virtually unanimous senti-
ment exerted itself for the measure.
There were only fifteen votes against
it in the house OF representatives.
National and state oranges. state
tons. bird societies of all kinds. and
other organizations worked for this
measure. 1t Is declared to be the
most important event In the history
OF bird life conservation in the United
States.
Wilson Likes Taft's Idea.
There Is belief among Demo.
cratic members OF congress that
President Wilson may take up
the suggestion made by ex-Presi.
dent Taft and urge legislation which
will enable his cabinet officers to ap-
pear on the floor of the two houses OF
congress when matters pertaining to
their departments are under consid-
Grafton. to answer questions and to
give Information which may enlighten
OH the points at issue.
Such course would be In entire
keeping with Mr.. Wilson's intimation
that he may go to the capitol on oc'
casion to be within easy reach OF rep
resentatives and senators who care to
consult him. 1t Is all part of a plan
to bring the administration and con-
gress closely together In conference
on matters OF legislation.
Mr.. Taft's idea was that II the mem.
bers OF his cabinet could go to the
times when appropriation bills were
under consideration, the actual need
for money in this case or that case
would be more clearly presented. and
the doubts OF members who did not
know how to vote could be cleared up
and more intelligent consideration
could be given to each Item 10 every
| appropriation bill.
The former president did not in
tend. however. TO limit the appear
ance of members Of the cabinet to APP
preparation occasions. He wanted con
gress to provide that whenever a cab.
met officers presence seemed advisa.
| Bile he might be summoned, given Il
seat on the floor and allowed to an
swer all questions and to vouchsafe
such opinions as suggested them.
selves to him as being pertinent to
the subject matter in hand.
"Infuence" 10 Feared
II Is the fear Of some congressman
| that the admission of cabinet mem.
| bers to the floor would bring about a
with the legislative branch and that
| this ought to be avoided, especially
| In Democracy. 1t was the fear of
| this same influence which has made
many members OF congress oppose the
suggestion OF Mr.. Wilson that he
might come to the capitol himself on
occasion. a suggestion which has been
treated Of in another dispatch
There Is any amount of personal in.
| fuence used to sway legislation in
| influence has been condemned by the
public and the press ever since the
| first congress convened This infu-
ence is that OF the lobby which in
times past and even today has a
strong representation In Washington.
| The lobbyists are nothing like as i'm
Fortunate as once they were, nor dc
| they carry on their opportunities with
the same disregard Of publicity and
OF the actual decencies as once they