Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-01-10

flock to Maine in increasing thousands,
and we must see to it through our
Legislature and game commission that
the Ash and game shall not suffer de-
pletion. Increasing values of property
where we feed. and lodge these visitors
OF ours are vitality dependent upon
whether or not we have to offer what
they come to get. II requires tons OF
food to feed these visiting thousands,
builders to erect hotels, camps, ga
RACES. wharves. steamboats,, rowboats
and canoes: plumbers, engineers,
wood-cutters, ice-cutters, guides,
hotel help; quantities of furniture,
thousands of dollars worth of fishing
tackle and ammunition, gasoline-and
| might go on almost without limit,
and it seems as though not one indus
try but is benefited by the fact that
Maine has the fish and game and that
it is our mission to see to its that 1t
shall always be so. We have fiYh in
our lakes and streams. but let lts be
ware lest we take out more thanDWe
put back by artificial propagation. l
venture to assert that we must plant
far more than ten fish for every one
that is caught, such are the inroads
upon the supply due to pollution, the
menace of disappearing forests, the
preying of natural enemies, and the
eternal question of balance of natural
condition of which we know so little.
Let us interest ourselves in the wise
distribution of fish from the hatcherles.
We have game in our forests but let
us beware lest intensive shooting sap
our supply in the years to come, for we
cannot propagate deer as we can in the
case Of the trout.
If I am trout fisher why menace
my sport by foolhardy introduction OF
bass and white perch in trout waters?
On the other hand if | am trout or
salmon fisher why need [ condemn the
bass or pickerel to extinction by alb
sence of wise laws for the latters proS.
lection? If | am a pickerel fishermaN
why not protect my sport and prevene
the taking of the last fish through a
hole in the ice? If bait fishing in the
larger streams is an encroach1ng ele-
ment on the supply why delay our duty
that is 50 evident?
AS pertains to hunting, the close
ment too soon. The time will come
when our Virginia deer will also re-
quire more stringent protection per-
haps not for a few years yet. but let
us keep a close watch If our grouse
are being depleted by unfavorable
Matching seasons and by depredatory
animals, let us take steps to artlfclal-
" produce, and make efforts to dlmln-
| ism The numbers of its natural enemies.
If our shore birds are suffering by in
tensive and Illegal cunning let us put
| our best efforts into obtaining better
warden service and the melting out OF
severe penalties. And right here-our
warden service, ii. g, lack of sufficient
Iumber OF officers), is matter that
our State should be prevailed upon to
recognize as of very vital import
We have the game and the fish. but
let us not slack up in the least in the
matters of propagation, enforcing the
laws that are on the statutes. let us
rear birds as we do fish if it is as
feasible, and let us protect our deer to
the utmost in close time, and aooye all
let us use our best influence on our
neighbor that he too shall realize the
wisdom Of conducting himself in like
manner.
We have gathered here to discuss
and weigh all these and other matters
with as much deliberation and wisdom
as we may command not wholly for
our individual advancement or pleas
ure. but that each fish and animal may
be a unit in helping to build this State
as a vacation land where fish actually
are and game can really be Rad-and
not a fished- out, shot-up denuded ter
ritory that was once Il game country.
Mr.. Parsons Letter
Acting Secretary serague read a letter
from Willis E. Parsons as folls1s:
Foxcroft. Maine. Jan.'s, 1918.
Hon. John F. Sprague, ::
Chr. Executive Copmittee. :.
Sportsman's Fish and Game Assn.
Dear Bro. Sprague:-
Notice of the annual mediyg Of the
Association tomorrow has sbeen re-
ceived and l note the state lent that
am among those expected tb be pres
ent Nothing would give me more
pleasure, but owing to previous bus
mess engagement it. will be impossible
for me to be with you at this gather
ing.
I still keep up the same interest in
our Association that | have had for
many years and realize the amount of
good which it accomplishes by its in
luence eXerted along lines of right
legislation and the proper enforcement
Of the law for the preservation of fish
and game.
1t is now doubly important that our
as it not only brings into the State
annually many millions of dollars to
be distributed among the railroads,
hotels. guides. farmers and others, but
in open season is yaluable for con-
sumption by the pebple of our own
State in these stfenuous times Of food
conservation ~ other industry in -
State renders such gnificent RETURNS
for the amount extended as does the
fish and game industry, which if con-
tinued on business prineipne will be
more and more appreciafAD~ by the
people of Maine.
It is with much satisfaction that |
recall my association on the Legislative
committee of the orgapization with
such men as that Nestor of game com
missioners Hon. Leroy T. Carleton,