The Forrest City times., 1913-03-21
NO. 2S
song, are migratory and hereafter VIII
be protected by Uncle Sam
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 permanently the entire year
within the borders of any state or
territory. shall hereafter be deemed
to be within the CUSTODY and protec-
tion OF the government of the United
States, and shall not ne destroyed or
taken contrary to regulations here
inbefore 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 tho
country, "and 1t 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 CT the provisions or
regulations Of this law for the pro-,
lection of migratory birds shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
hned 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 sectionalisrn in 1t. 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
of the diminishing game birds and
song birdO 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
and local game protective associa-
tions. 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 ul
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 enlighteD
on the points at issue
Such a 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 senator's who care to
NOhouit II ID Gil pa vi - pun
to bring the administration and con
gress closely together III conference
on matters of legislation.
MIR. Taft's idea was thai If the mem
bers of his cabinet could go to the
house and the senate. especially a
times when appropriatioc 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 UT
and more intelligent consideration
could be given to each item in every
appropriation bill.
The former president did not in
tend, however. to limit the appear.
anCe of members of the cabinet to ap
preparation occasions. He wanted con
gress to provide that whenever a cab
met officers presence seemed advisa
bic he might be summoned. given
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 tc
the subject matter in hand
'lnfluence" Is Feared.
1t is the fear of some congressmer
that the admission of cabinet mem
| bers to the floor would bring about &
condition OF administration influence"
with the legislative branch and that
this ought to be avoided. especially
in a Democracy. 1t was the fear o,
this same influence which has made
many members of congress oppose the
suggestion of MI Wilson that he
might come to the capitol himself on
occasion, suggestion which has been
! treated of in another dispatch
There is any amount of personal in
| nuence used to sway legislation in
congress and some Of this personal
influence has been condemned by the
public and the press ever since the
first congress convened This ntu'
ence is that of the lobby which in
times past and even today mas a
! strong renresentatiOn in WASHINGTON