Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-26
RESIDENT LICENSE.

Hon. John S. P. H. Wilson of Au-
burn, chairman of the Commission on
Inland Fisheries and Game, appeared
before the committee on inland fish
cries and game, Tuesday afternoon,
in favor of a resident hunters license
law for the killing of birds and wild
animals
In the work in the connection with
the office" said Chairman Wilson.
"the commissioners believed among
many things which were considered
advisable for the best interests of fish
and game, was a resident hunters
license. One of the main things which
made this matter appeal to the COM
mittee was the fact that so many
states in this Union had law of this
kind, So out of 4S states having this
law in some form. The remaining
states, most of which are in the
South, have no particular game inter
ests. The state of Pennsylvania is
now considering a resident hunters
license law and the Grange of that
state has endorsed the idea The rea-
sons why this bill should be passed
are many. The most important rea
son, | think, is that this law would
be the means of lessening the taking
of human life during the hunting sea-
son. This license will be the means
of keeping irresponsible persons and
boys out of the woods. 1t would also
serve to conserve the game interests
of the State.
Not one of the states which has
passed this kind of a law has revoked
it and it seems to be working TO per-
lection. This is not an experiment
and l submit to you whether the
measure is a radical one or not Some
other radical measures than this must
he adap1esai. d.. if eare -lQ.-IEassrye- nllr.
game interests
Chairman Wilson read an extract
from the report of the fish and game
commissioners of Iowa, where a resi-
dent license law is in effect, saying
that the law had worked we'll and
had eliminated that class of hunters
who hunt birds and game at all times.
Walter /. Neal
Walter /. Neal of Belfast a member
of the Commission on Inland Fisheries
and Game, also spoke a good word in
favor of the resident hunters license.
He said that the Maine Sportsmen's
Fish and Game Association had en-
do~sed the idea as we'll as several To-
cal associations
George e. Thompson of Bath opposed
the bill. He said in quite strong Ian
euage that there was just as much
sense 10 make the fishermen take out
license rs the hunter. He did not
think that it was right to stop the boys
from carrying a gun in the woods.
Representative Eaton of oxford was
also strongly opposed to the bill. He
supposed that the lakes, the rivers and
the streams were for all the people.
He did not believe that the people
would like this license law He also
thought that the man who worked in
the factory ought to have the right to
hunt on a Saturday afternoon if he SO
desired without taking out a license.
Everyone liked the farmers but why
should they be favored in this mat
ter?
This is class legislation" said Mr.
Eaton. and | want to go on record
as opposed to II Supnose n warden
runs into hunter in the woods and
the hunter happens TO nave lett his
license at heme2 Men would not look
at the dollar but they would look at
the principle.
Chairman Wilson said that he did not
believe that any court would convict
a man II ne was found without his IL
cense providing that the record had
shown that he had secured one.
Don't you think that something
should be done to preserve the game
of the committee of Representative
Eaton.
yes. certainly do, said Mr.. Eaton,
but l think 1t would be a great deal
better to shorten the open time on
game than to pass the resident hunter )
law.
Representative Hartman of Stoning-
ton said that the people down on the
coast were opposed TO the bill. He said
that hundreds of fishermen carried
their guns in their boats and shot o
sea bird for their dinner.
Representative Jones of China
thought that the clause compelling the
hunter to carry the license in his pock-
| ct should be eliminated
Robert A. Davis of Steuben said that
he supposed that people had the right
| to carry4firearms If they so desired He
also said that sensible men are letting
Continued on Page Nine.)