The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-05-24
BIRD PROTECTION
Senator Mclean Tell Why Uncle
Sam Should Protect the
Birds

Senator George p. Mclean, of Con.
necticut is the foremost advocate Of a
bill now before congress providing for
federal protection Of migratory birds.
In the following article he gives his
reasons for supporting the measure:
| hope that all true conservationists
will give their active support to the
bill which extends federal protection
to migratory game aud insectivorous
birds This bill passed the Senate re.
Gently without q dissenting vote aud it
will be most unfortunate if the House
fails to concur. 1t Is hard to believe
that anyone can be opposed to the
purposes sought to be accomplished by
this legislation. If there are constitu-
final limitations in the way, the soon
er they are discovered and removed,
the better. The general public and
even those who have most at stake
the farmers and hOrticulturalist have
in the past been very slow to recognize
the vital importance Of this and that
other subject of equal import-the con
tagious diseases of trees and plants.
The annual loss to agriculture caused
by plant disease is estimated at 81
500, 600, and our department of agri-
culture in 1887 fixed the loss that
year to the United States alone caused
by c~ryptograms to timber, fruit and
grain at $500. 600, 600. The proven
ton of plant maladies is an internstion-
nj 1nfu uukfak oavn,k 10 wau1ngNaI nwI
the recent importation Of the chestnut
blight into this county has awakened
our people to the need of great caution.
Rigid qurHntines are now established
against plant diseases and destructive
insects, but these efforts will be fu-
tile unless the pests and plaques that
are now with Us 10 untold numbers
are controlled and conquered. This
country is still msnv years behind most
Of the European nations in its general
interests in such matters. 1t is quite
as Important TO save the trees from
disease and slugs as it is to save them
from the axe and FIRE
The annual loss caused by blights
and beetles in the country al ne is e..
timated at more than 81, ECO, 600, 900.
The half dozen gypsy moths brought to
this country a few years ago and which
were allowed to escape have multiplied
aud become a Eauseating sCourge in
certain portions of central and eastern
New England. Unless we are alive to
every precsution il will not be many
years before every tree, shrub and
flower will have its hordes of inse, I
enemies waiting to attack the fir I
green spot that appears in the spring.
The migratory insectivorous birds
should bs guarded with a mailed hand,
and the states, acting separately, are
utterly incompetent. III the federal
government has no power to under
take the common defense in this re
gard, we ought to know it al once. ]
cannot believe that any sovereignty
worthy of the name. can be so helpless
and ia any event it would seem to be
the duty of congress to give the benefit
Of the doubt to the people and the con.
stitution.
The pending legislation touches nc
private or property right. 1t can dc
no harm TO any mans person or posses
sions. If this matter is delayed until
the birds are exterminated land they
are now decreasing at an alarming
rate the lawmakers Of this genera
ton will neglect a plain and pressing
duty.