Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-08
FRIENDS OF SAUNDERS
make REPLY T0'PARs0Ns
Deny That Roanoke Physician, Dis.
charged as Game Warden, Aspires
n to BE Commissioner.
CoUNTERGHARGEs ARE FILED
Say Commissioner Is Unable to Give
Business pf Inland Fisheries His
Prompt Attention and Leaves
Chief Clerk Without Authority.

The charge that John s.. Parsons,
head OF tho Department OF Game and
Inland Fisheries. is unable to give the
business OF that department his prompt
attention. and leaves his chief clerk
without authority to act, is contained
In letter from r. J.. Watson, first
vico president Of the Appalachian
Game and Fish Protective Association,
to MT. Parsons. in reply to commu-
nleatIon from the game commissioner
to DR.. w. II. Saunders. Diminishing him
as game warden OF the city of Roa-
t,oke.
Tho letter OF dinmissal was published
several days ago. and was given out
ny Mr. Parsons in answer to charges
preferred by friends Of Dr. Saunders
that tho Roanoke physician had been
Tired for political considerations. DR..
Saunders. an president OF the Appala-
chian Game and Fish Protective Asso-
citation. had addressed q letter to each
OF tho candidates for Governor. asking
than II thoy would indorse a bin de-
efGnod to create a separate department
Tor the enforcement Of game and fish
Lawn. with a "live man. at It's head
It was said that Mr. Parsons took Of
fonse at this lotter. The game commits
uionor, however. stated that nc had
not seen the letter to the candidates
relieved him Of his ONCE because he
was disloyol to tho department and
tried to dictate its policy.
WRITES BY AUTHORITY
OF APPALACHLAN ASSOCIATION
Tho letter from Sir. Watson to Mr.
Parsons Is, In. full. as follows:
Il ana directed by the Appalachian
GAnb and Fish Protective Association
to writo you the following letter In
answer TO your letter OF July 5 to Dr.
". II. saunderH. which letter was pub
ltehed In such way as to leave the
Impression that you intended to make
personal attack on Dr.. Saunders
Taking your charges seriatiu. we
would nay that we do not understand
your hrst statement that DR.. Saunders
10 not In sympathy with or loyal to the
department..
y I'm tho rrst place. there is no more
enthusiastic sportsman or man more In
sympathy with game and Ash protec-
tion In the State than DR.. Saunders.
"As wo understand his attitude, the
friction between himself and the de-
partment has been caused by your In
ability to Kivs the business Of the de-
parent lack OF authority on the part
Of Dir. Hart to attend prom pity to ur!
gent matters in your absence.
Replying to your comment on his
ertticiIm OF some of tho game war
dehs. we viii say frankly that DR..
odupuctU Il rnhn VINO has studied the
question OF game protection vastly
more thar perhaps any other warde,
in this section CT the State.
HIS OFFICE 10 CLEARINGHOUSE
FOR Law ENFORCEMENT
He nlso Is man Of considerable
shove the average intelligence and
ability; and. therefore, We had suppos-
ed that you would be glad to have
his comment and friendly criticism as
70 men who were neither so much In
te-ested in the work or 80 able TO
perform II.
This situation has been recognized
BY sportemen and game wardeps all
over this part OF the State. SO much
30 that this Office has come TO be what
might be termed a clearing house fer
the troubles OF thesc men in the en-
forcement of the Law.
'Dr. Saunders certainly has done an
incalculahle amount OF work In giving
this kind OF assistance in this sec
ton You state that he criticizcs you
for not prosecuting certain factories
for polluttnH Roanoke River Now,
II you win examine your Joint CORE
spondenee, you will fnd the facts to be
that the management OF the Salem
Tannery agreed that II the game de-
partnent and the health authorities