Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-07
FISH AND GAME
Chairman Austin Favors Single Head
ed Commission-eounty on Bears

Hon. Harry B. Austin of Phillips,
chairman of the Commission on Inland
| fisheries and game, spoke before the COM
mttee on inland fisheries and game Tues
day afternoon in favor of the bill to
cries and Game, making it a single
headed commission. Chairman Austin
told of having a conversation with Gov
ernor Mlliken prior to his inaugural ad-
dress on the advisablity of having a SIN
| gle-headed commission to look after the
inland fish and game interests and he
agreed with the general proposition that
the efficiency of the office would perhaps
be better conducted under one head. al
though he had no criticism to make of
the other two members of the commits
| sion or their work.
! 1.-THE work of the office is done and has
! been done for the past 10 or 20 years
practically by the chairman of the COM
| mission" said Mr.. Austin, while the
land agent and the other member of the
commission have acted only in an ad-
visory capacity. The responsibility of the
work of the department is placed on the
chairman. Six years ago bill of this
nature was introduced in the legislature
but It was turned down. and two years
ago the committee on salaries and fees
recommended the creation of a commits
Isioner of inland fisheries and game, but
again the bill was turned down.
"Inasmuch rs practically the whole
work of the department is now done by
| the chairman" said Mr.. Austin, II do not
! see where there should be any objection
in changing the law and no valid reason
why the chairman should not take the
whole responsibility Of the office.
! Yes, l think it would be better to
have. the work conducted by ore eff
cient officer" continued Chairman Aus
tin, than have the work divided
among a commission Of three members.
Have you beard of any opposition
to this BILL" asked Senator Merrill of
| Somerset. a member Of the committee.
| NO, I have heard Of none. but there
may be-" replied Chairman Austin.
| Chairman Austin appeared for the
act to amend the Revised Statutes pro-
viding for the seizure of jack lights.
| Chairman Austin told the committee
that the bill was introduced to discour-
| age the practice of shooting deer from
automobiles unGer jack-light. Chair
man Austin explained that this was not
the regular driving light but light on
| the dasher. He did not think that it
would do any harm at least to try such
law.
| Bounty on Bears
| Representative Pitt Z. Averill Of
Prentiss spoke in favor of bounty of
$40 on bears in the counties of Penob-
scot, Piscataquis, Aroostook and WASH
incton. He said that the bears had Gre
ated quite havoc among sheep and
| that one bear could damage to the ex-
tent of from $50 to 800 in a year. AS
! the law is at present person is reim-
| bursed for the value of the sheep with
50 per cent. additional Last year the
town of Prentiss paid $3.50, the town
of Carroll 1867. ard the town of Spring
field 1910 for sheep which were killed
! by hears. the State of course later re-
, imbursing those towns. During the last
six years the State has reimbursed the
/ town of Prentiss to the amount of $3.50
for the loss Of sheep killed by bears.
! How can you tell whether these
| sheep were killed by bears or by dogs"
asked Senator Merrill of Somerset, a
member Of the committee.
why, that's easy" replied Repre-
sentative Averill, bears tear sheep all
to pieces"
cit would not do any hurt to try the
scheme of a bounty for two years any
way, 7 believe said Representative
Prentiss in conclusion.
REPRESENTATIVE cha r1aS of ova11 alco
spoke in favor of bill for bounty on
bears in other sections Of the State
than those contemplated in the bill