New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-27
BEWARE THE LUMBERMEN |
Sus picion of Working Of Conserva
ton Amendment to Constitution.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: II Is time for all the people Of New
York to know that there 10 now before the
Constitutional Convention proposition to
extinguish the present Forest, Fish and Game
Commission and replace 1t with nine hesded
Iccmmisson Of unpaid men, who will select
salaried working commissioner. and will have
the power to wipe out all our existing game
laws and make an entire new code to suit
themselves This measure was introduced py
DR.. Dow, chairman Of the Committee on Con-
servation, an its serial number Is 77s
have the highest regard for DR.. Dow, and
II believe that he sincerely believes that his
measure will be a good thing for the State OF
New York; but | must say that, as one VINO
has sweated blood in helping to make our
game laws what they now are, am thorough
ly alarmed by the possibilities that would be
opened by the enactment Of the measure Into
law. 1.-THE voice is the voice Of Jacob, but the
hand is that Of Essu," the lumberman! / am
absolutely sure that this bill is wanted by
the numbering interests Of the Adirondacks,
and | fully believe that il it becomes q part
of the constitution il would easily and cheap
ly, and also quickly enable them to name the
majority Of the unpaid commissioners, and
also the active commissioner himself. II this
is not true, why should the lumbermen's lead
ers be to-day so strongly in favor of nine
headed commission, as they are? Beware the
Greeks bearing gifts!
How, | ask, do the friends Of wild life Of
New York State view the proposal of the Dow
bill to endow the nine-headed commission
with the exclusive power, subject to the veto
of the Governor, to enact regulations with re-
spect to the taking. possession, sale and
transportation" of "fsh, birds, game, shellfish
and crustacea, except migratory fish of the
sea-?
Now, if the English language has not en-
tirely lost its meaning, that means that the
hydra-headed commission could wipe out
every single one of our present game, bird
ard fish laws. and substitute therefor any
thing that they please to write down instead.
Let us not blink this proposition, nor go to
sleep on rights Do the people Of New
York wish to put into the hands of nine un-
known men the power to nullfy all the game
and fish acts Of our legislatures and destroy
the fruits of years of labor,
II they do, then let the press keep silent,
let the people sit still, and they will see it
done.
We have sacrificed much in helping TO make
the wild life laws Of this state what they are
the best code TO be found in any state in
our country. Our legislatures and our vari-
Gus state game commissions during the last
ten years have done very we'll by the wild life
and the people. | demand that legislative
power over the wild life of the state shall re-
main where it has benin the hands Of the
Legislature and the Governor Show our
Legislature the right path in the protection of
forests, fish and game and the majority will
follow 1t cheerfully every time!
| object to every line of Section I, No. 773.
It is dangerous; 1t is unnecessary; II is
leap in the dark without any excuse. be-
lieve that the rapacous lumber interests are
behind it for what there is in it" for them.
| advise the press and the people Of New York
to demand Of their delegates in the conven-
ton, and especially of Mr.. Elihu Root, chair
man. that Section l Of Bill No. 773 be killed
bodily and that every substitute that may be
offered for that section, or any portion of it,
Re killed, in the interests of the wild life, the
forests and the people at large of this state.
WILLIAM 7. HORNADAY.
New York, Aug. %. 1915.