Fergus County Democrat., 1916-12-21
IN
4 Convention
sEvENTy-FIvE DELEGATES FROM
ALL PARTS OF. THE STATE
MEET IN THIS CITY.
STRONG ORGANIZATION IS BORN

Under the branching antlers of the
two magnificent elk heads at the
Elks club, there was born Friday night
the Montana State Fish & Game Pro
tective association. There was in at
tendance some Is delegates from
every section of the state and the
convention did not adjourn until about
| II o'clock.
/ The convention was preceded by
a most enjoyable luncheon at the
Bright cafe, at which Judge Roy e.
Ayers presided. Addresses were
made by Senator J. E. Lane. Repre-
sentative-elect O. W. Belden. Mark
Ezekiels Of Butte and others, and the
whole affair was successful.
The Convention.
Upon assembling for the regular
session committee presented
draft of the constitution and bylaws,
this being adopted. The object of the
organization is to promote the propo-
CATION and protection OF the wild game
and game fish of the state by foster
ing spirit Of mutual helpfulness; by
an interchange of ideas; by formula
tion and urging useful legislation; by
compiling and disseminating informa-
tion bearing upon wild game and game
fish and the propagation and protec-
tion Of the same; by the fostering of
and cooperation with the different
sportsmens clubs throughout the
|state.
The Officers.
The following permanent officers
were elected: Judge Roy E. Ayers.
Lewistown, president; l.. D. Blodgett,
Lewistown, secretary and treasurer;
Mark Ezekiel, Butte; r. N. Marlowe,
Missoula; Ben Cummings, Great Falls;
w. K. Moore, Billings; Lou Lucke,
Havre; George Iandstrum, Helena;
Lee Watch, Sidney; Andrew Beck
worth, Missoula; Senator Roberts,
Lincoln county; Bud Story, Bozeman,
and Lee Coleman. Glasgow, vice presi-
dents.
Many Addresses.
Following this many addresses were
made in which the work accomplished
by the game warden's department re-
ceved special attention. Mr. Eze-
kiels made particularly interesting
talk along this line. He showed that
the department paid for ITSELF with
a margin, in the fine collected from
men arrested by the wardens for vio-
lations of the game laws. 1t pro-
vided funds for two fine fish hatcher
les, amounting to some 100000; had
bought fish car, costing some $4,000.
and had bought the fish boat, used
on Flathead lake. Attention should
be given to these facts and the tax
payers generally should be educated
SO that they would understand that
the game warden's department did
not cost the taxpayers a penny in
taxes.
David Hilger told Of the time when
he came to the Judith basin. He
found the buffalo, elk, deer and other
game in great abundance. There was
no protection and it was almost
wiped out What was left had beer
saved by the game laws and the work
of the warden's department. r. Won
Tobel pointed out that whereas it
was possible to stock the streams
with fish at small cost, once the game
was gone it was almost impossible
to replace it. The deputy game war
dens, with all the vast stretches OF
territory under their jurisdiction, had
collected some $4,000 in fines for
violations of the law. How quickly
! what game there was would pass
away if there were no wardens.
!. Numerous speakers showed that
| lOWSNGi lAuCll luS SuGllllo LAlSll WISH
to do the work now being performed
by the wardens. they could not do it
because it was all they could possibly
do to perform the duties at present
required of them with the deputies
allowed by law and even with special
help employed, because OF extreme
urgency.
Speaker after speaker arose to ex
press his belief in the absolute nee
essity for maintaining the warden's
: department upon the basis Of its pres
ent efficiency, with an increase in
the number OF deputies should that
; become necessary. The sentiment OF
the convention appeared to be strong.
ly in favor of segregating the fishing
and hunting licenses, making each 81,
say, but this point was not definitely
passed up.
Next Meeting.
The place for the next meeting was
left for the president to decide upon,
and he indicated that it would be
Anaconda during the session of the
State Sportsmen's association. Frank
Clinton, on behalf of Anaconda, ex.
tended an invitation to hold the meet
ing there.
- On Resolutions.
Judge Ayers appointed r. Won Tobel,
David Hilger and C. J. Marshall as
members of the committee OIL resolu.
tions, and this committee will report
it's findings to the president and sec.
, retary and upon their approval the
report will be widely circulated.
, Legislative Committee.
Following the adjournment, Judge
Ayers appointed as the Legislative
committee Thomas N. Marlowe, of
Missoula, and Dan Kelly, of Butte, and
, Frank Rainey of Glendive. The pres,
ident and secretary are ex-officio mem
f3ers of this committee.
Mr.. Shoemaker of Helena offered a
special resolution, extending the
thanks of the association to the Lew
istoWn sportsmen for the courtesies
shown, this being adopted by the
unanimous vote of all the visiting dele
. gates.
- The convention then adjourned