Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-21
NO POLITICS IN NEW
GAME LAW, SAYS WILLIS
sion Of the 100000 Collected
in Licenses.
wARDENs TO BE EXAMINED
Must Show Ability to Perform the
Work for Which They Are Paid
and Make Systematic Reports OF
Work Performed.

Introduction of the new game law
bill by X. II. Willis. floor leaders of
the House of Delegates. has no political
81. -nificance whatever. according to him.
Mr.. Wills, who Tuesday night issued a
statement charging that much of the
100000 collected by the Game Depart
ment for licenses had been improperly
applied. stated further last night that
he expected little real opposition to the
IN .asure when 1t came to the floor OF
the House.
The measure Is designed primarily
to remedy evils alleged to exist in the
present administration Of the depart
mcnt. The appointment of chief
clerk. who will have supervision over
wartcns and whose duties will be to
see that the wardens perform the work
they are paid to perform. is one of the
chief aims Of the bill, which also states
that fees collected by the department
must be turned over to the State Treas
urer.
CHARGE OF POLITICS
RIDICULOUS, SAYS WILLIS
Mr. Willis's statement follows:
THE charge that the game bill intro
duced at this session has any political
significance is ridiculous. There's no
more reason to think that a chief clerk
appointed by the Governor would APP
point wardens for political reasons
when such clerk is directly responsible
for the success OF the department than
there is to think that fish commits
sioncr appointed by the Governor would
appoint wardens for political reasons.
The opponents of this bill, whoever
they are. have been careful to give out
all the interviews and to conduct their
campaign under the monde plume Of
they say and 1T is said
They certainly have given no reason
for the statement that politics Is in
volved in the bill.
II think I may say without charge Of
egotism that the years of work that
have spent In the game and fish pro-
lection is known we'll enough to the
them to refuse to believe that II bill
that am behind has any motive other
than game protection.
SlIERIFFS SOMETIMES
best MEN FOR JOB
The provisions of this bill by which
the county shcrins and deputy sheriffs
can be made game wardens and re-
ceive this extra compensation will re-
suit in getting some excellent wardens
in many counties where the law is not
at present enforced at all.
The provision that n large part of
the money shall be spent for bounties
on hawk heads instead of various fads
and fancics will be popular among
poultry raisers as we'll as game pro-
tectorS.
THE provision requiring close super
vision of the warden by the head of the
department will insure some service
from numbers of wardens who are
merely getting their salaries for moth
ing. The provisions by which the
wardens are required every year to
stand 4 simple examination on the
laws which it is their duty to enforce
will require them to at least know
! something about their duties. Other
features of the law of 1916 which have
caused some friction in it's enforce
ment have been remedied. l again in
wife the critics OF the measure to
SPECIFY their objections to It,"