The sun., 1917-02-21
FOOD RIOTS SPREAD;
CITYHALL STORlNED:
SCHOOLSFACE STRIKE
WARDEN RAIDS
PHIPpS ESTATE
Game Protectors Seize Alb
Wild DuckS-POsSiblc
Fine S15,3lJ.

Chief Game Protector L,ew!llyn Legse
and squad OF special agents OF the
State Conservation Commission late yes
,erday afternoon raided the country es-
tate of Henry {. Phipps at Wantagh. Il.
l.. and se.z,d AS wild ducks which Mr..
rhlpps and the employees OF his estate
are accused of having trapped and held
in captivity in violation Of the State
game laws
An official of the commission said last
night that IL the accusation against Mr.
phipps and his caretaker, Valentine Van
Cott. Is sustained by an inquiry imme-
diatey begun by MIR. Legge before JUS
ice Of the Peace Frank =. Neu of Lyn-
b ook charges will be made formally
and II convicted Mr. Phipps will be liable
TO hne of $l5.31J. Van Cou rs
srecial game protector and an accessory
with Mr.. Phipps faces the possibility OF
being assessed the same fine AS well as
charges Of malfeasancc in office and for
teiture of his bond OF $500.
Mr.. Phipps holds a breeders license is
sued by the State Commission. which
permits him to breed wild ducks in cap
tivity under the direction of game pro-
tectors. but which does not give him the
right to capture ducks and kill and sell
them. which the commission asserts his
employees. particularly Van Cot,, have
been doing
How Raid Was Planned.
Rumors that the game laws were being
violated reached the commission several
weeks ago. and Commissioner George D..
Pratt sent Special Agent Delmer Steen-
Nvpr IL ing ttUu
ton.
Steenburg. ii was said last night by an
official OF the commission. succeeded in
obtaining employment near the Phipps
estate and began to cultivate the ac-
quaintance of the Phipps employees. par
ticularly Van Cott and others who
handled the ducks. To Steenburg Van
Cott Is said to have told the details of
the capture of the ducks. and to have
shown to the special agent the trap used
in the work. Steenburg, according to
the commission. was present on one oc-
casion when Van Cott operated the trap
and captured q number Of ducks which
had come up the creek over which the
trap had been placed.
Steenburx reported to Mr.. Legge late
Monday night that he had completed
his work. and that raid and the seizure
Of the ducks would result in the develop
ment Of additional evidence. Yesterday
afternoon Mr.. Legge, with force Of men
and an automobile truck sent over from
Glen Cove by Commissioner Pratt. went
to the Phipps estate and seized 442 black
ducks. wild and alive. 25 dead black
ducks, 5 pintail ducks and one wood
, duck.
Motion Pictures Taken.
Mr.. Legge also examined the trap and
still and motion pictures were taken OF
!, 1t by w. 8. Carpenter. secretary to the
Commissioner. The pictures will be used
a. evidence. The trap was described by
one Of the men who assisted In the raid
as being constructed Of poles and chicken
wire, about so feet long. 80 feet wide
and 6 feet high. 1t was placed across
small stream on the Phipps estate, and
baited with oats and corn. Ducks COM
Ing up the stream after the bait entered
the trap through a funnel shaped en-.
, trance. and once they were inside a door
was dropped down. preventing exit from
, the trap. The motion pictures made by
Mr.. Carpenter showed the trap In opera
| ton.
/ After loading the ducks into the auto
!, mobile truck Mr.. Legge went before Jus
| tice Of the Peace Neu at Lynbrook ant
| obtained subpenas for Van Cott ant
Bert jackson. a negro: Frank Hausslal
and Louis Schwabb, all employees o.
Mr.. Phipps. who are said to have beer
active in the trapping and killing Of wilt
ducks. The four men were taken tS
! Lynbrook at once and Justice Neu be
gan a secret investigation In the nature
of a John Doe inquiry to develop evi
dence and determine the exact scope o
the charges.
The investigation will be continued to-
| day.