Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-19

state benent by having more capdple
men in this department
We have some splendid wardens to-
Gay who are interested and work hard,
to my mind for too little pay. I sincere
! ly hope that something will be done
along these lines this winter and l
know that the members of this associ-
alton will lend their support to put the
WARDEN branch OF the service on bet
ter foundation, thus making the fish
and game interests a larger asset than
they are today. and at the same time
give the wardens their first taste of
the present prosperity.
I would recommend a resident hunt
ers' registration fee, and a non resident
anglers license. From the experience
of other states you will find these laws
popular, of great benefit to the state,
and the revenue sufficient to relieve the
state from any burden of expense,
give the man who hunts more game to
hunt. and the man or woman who fish
es more fish to catch and go home more
happy and contented than ever before.
The sportsman is asking you to tax
him, not because he likes to spend his
westth, but that he may have better
sport. This is what he wants. He Is
looking for the sportsman's paradise
and he believes it to. be possible to
make Maine that place He wants
more fish and game and is willing to
contribute the small increased expense
for that privilege.
This association has grown; people
are interested that were never interest
ed before. We stand for the best of
everything in the protection and con-
servation Of Names great hunting and
fishing. We are working because we
are enthusiastic in the cause and hon
est in our convictions.
The work or this association is only
begun. 1t is beginning to be power
In moulding public opinion, and I ask
that you give the same loyal support to
my successor that you have given me.
know that you will, and in so doing
you will render splendid service to
your state, and the state will benefit
hv having such splendid organiza ton
as the Maine Sportsmen's Fish & Game
Association.
The Maine. Sportsmens Fish ant
Game Association has committed itself
as in favor of resident hunters
'N7''''''''ioi'' anu WISH 10 say n rev
words on this subject. At the las,
Legislature, two years ago. this as
ISOLATION, working together with the
commissioners, tried to have such =
law enacted but failed
| feel that the lawmakers did moi
look into this subject as thoroughly a.
they might have done. and also that
the public in general was about evenly
divided. many thinking it worked q
hardship to the poor boy. l have vel
to meet sportsman who is not ir
favor of some law along these lines
and | have continually been urged b,
both the resident and non resident
hunter to try again and see if such &
law could not be enacted.
outside the State of Maine there are
but three states that do not have such
a law, and those that have are al
pleased with the results obtained The
law seems to be popular, which is O.
vast importance, and it is a means O
revenue besides making it possible t.
further enforce all game laws.
| took occasion about the first of De.
cember to write to the several com.
missioners of the different New Eng.
land states. asking them about thu
workings of this law, and also as t.
the number OF wardens employed anc
salaries paid them. ! will read the let
tiers which | received in reply.
You will note that the state of Yer
mont receives S1,5O0 from the sports.
men who hunt and fish. They issu,
only 30 or 40 nom resident licenses fol
hunting, but they have a non-residen
anglers license for which 50 is charged
Vermont also has law which reads
"tnnaturalized foreign born resident!
may not hunt, capture or kill any wild
animal. or own or have in his posses
sion shot gun or rifle, except tina
such resident owning real estate val
ucd at $500 or over is eligible for a 81;
alien hunters license. Penalty, So
fine or 30 days in Jail or both" Tht
wardens receive SO per day or SIS pei
month.
Massachusetts has a splendid sys.
tenn, though not better than Vermont
, A person by simply writing, withou
going into the matter fully cannot b,
too sure and | am not using thes,
states in comparison.
In 1915 Massachusetts, issued 66,2S
resident licenses at 81 each. TIT
wardenS are under civil service rule!
or merit system and receive 1920 tn,
first year with an additional $40 PEI
month thereafter until the maximum
of $1,000 is reached.
Connecticut. having less game, is
sues over $4,000 resident licenses. The!
have but two wardens that work al
the time. and they receive $1,000 pc
year for their services. They have 81,
wardens who receive So per day wheI
actually employed.
Rhode Island has q commissioner o
birds, so called. They have littl'
game, being q thickly populated state
The wardens ere paid $3.50 and SO pc
day.
All of the commissioners of the diff
fcrent New England states speak ;
good word for the resident hunters Ii
cense. and like the way it works out
II cannot help but conserve the gam
and 1t is a source of revenue mucl
desired.
believe the Fish and Game Com
lmissioners should work up plan, a
did the state of New Jersey. whereof,
the state would be at no expense from
this department. and the department
be able TO do more efficient work.
believe that we should have NOR
ar1-f~ ~.