The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-28
GAME ASSOCIATION
WATTS ON FARMERS
Committee OF Five to Con
fer With Them On All Game
Law Changes.
ROANOKE REPORT DENIED
Executive and Legislative Committee
Vic Record to Show 1t Backed No
Proposal Relative to Separate De-
IEtrfnunt ~ Care

After prolonged discussion as to
what attitude their organization
ohould take relative to the proposal
being agita1ed in some sections of the
state looking to the separation of the
game and inland fish department from
that of the commissioner of fisheries,
the Virginia Game and Fish Protec-
tive association, In annual meeting at
the Jefferson hotel, voted to refer the
matter to a committee Of five to be
named by the president, which coma
mittee is dir ected and empowered to
confer with the game conservation
committees CT the Farmers union and
Farmers institute and to act with
such committees with reference to this
and ether changes that may be pro-
posed in the game law.
This action was taken after the
members tad heard read the report
Of the executive and legislative cum
mittee on the subject in question,
which absolutely contradicts the re-
port sent out from Roa noke that those
committees were solidly back OF n
proposal to create the new Office OF
game commissioner.
II seemed to be the consensus Of
opinion OF the gathering that. while
in the course OF time II would doubt
less be extremely desirable to have
a commissioner OF game 1t Is not at
all advisable to attempt radical re-
vision OF the law or to introduce In
novatfons after il has had but d lit
tie more than one years trial especial
ly when such trial under the present
management has been so entirely pro-
dnctive of satisfactory results
Wanted to Meet Issue Now.
There were some who wished to
place the association squarely on re-
cord on the subject at this time but
as that did not seem in good taste
on account OF the arrangement made
with the farmers representatives re-
Gently that there should be opportun-
ity for them to refer the question to
their unions. ii was deemed best TO
take no further action than that in
dtca ted
Major Jennings II, Wise, was pre-
sent and made q brief address re-
counting the early struggles OF those
who had fought for the game bill
their failure and ultimate success. He
closed by declaring that he would
love TO remain-~an enjoy the good
hunting now reported in the state.
due TO the operation OF the law, but
that there was an open season on for
Germans and, unfortunately there was
no closed season on Americans In
Europe. where he anticipated he
would soon be.
The meeting was presided over by
President e G. Meade and was the
most largely attended in the history
OF the association, besides which "A
mum Der of letters andfteiegrams were
received in which Pc senders ex-
pressed their regret at being unable
TO attend, and piedglng their hearty
co operation in the work.
Among those present from out-of-
town was Captain D. II. Barger
second vice president, OF MONTGOMERY
county
II was reported that there were 45s
members on the roll of the organiza
ton. A new member, J. ]. Pollard.
proved himself one OF the livest wires
OF the association. having secured in
the past day or two Ave life menu
bers and one annual member out OF
seven men canvassed by him for MEM
hership. His report was warmly APP
plAuded.
The question of the stray dog, es-
peciaiiy the sheep-killing dog. came
UP for consideration. Il. Morgan Shep-
herd. business manager OF the South
ern Planter. and expert along the line
Of carrying on anti-dog propaganda,
made an iHteresttHsr explanation of the
situation, showing how all dogs Ii al
lowed to run at large are a menace
to the sheep industry of the state and
that they had virtually wiped out what
should be one of the states greatest
interests. He declared that evidently
the state must expect TO have its cloth
ing made out OF dog-hair as, II was
raising pra ctically no wool, although
wool is bringing from 70 to 80 cents
the pound. He saw no relief for the
sheep-grower except to absolutely pro-
hibit dogs from running at large ex-
cept when accompanied by their own
ers or keepers. He referred to the
statement accredited to some one of
the war boards that the food which
dog consumed would keep Belgian
sufferer from starvation.
The unreasonable shortening OF the
hunting season to one day in Bland
county and to eight days In Tazewell
brought forth much sentiment to the
end that local control over game legis-
lation should be done away with.
All of the cid officers OF the asso-
citation were reelected as follows:
president, Ernest G. Meade; first vice.
president. w. p Patterson; second
vice president, Captain D. H. Barger:
secretary and treasurer, c. B, Cooke
and to these was added an assistant
sAeratary In the pergon OF G NJ Hogg