The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-20
ASKED TO ATTEND MEETING

Montgomery, october 19.-(Special.)
Calling upon the cotton producers of
Alabama to attend the state conven-
ton in Montgomery on October % for
the purpose of formulating plans for
the placing of the producer upon q
higher place of business independence
which his efforts so richly merit" Gov.
Thomas r.. Kilby of Alabama on Satur
day issued a proclamation. in which
he discusses the American Cotton as
sociations efforts in behalf of the
farmer The proclamation asks for the
co operation of the cotton producer
when campaign is put on in Novem-
Der for members of the state associa-
ton. in connection with the American
association.
Montgomery. october 1s-(special)
Trappers in Alabama are being issued
licenses to take" wild fur bearing
animals, including black bear, accord
ing to information at the office of John
II. Wallace, Jr., of the state depart
ment of conservation, on Saturday.
Many black bear are found in the
jungles and ravines along the rivers in
south Alabama, Mr.. Wallace said, and
during the coming months trappers will
try their skill at bear-hunting.
The fact that licenses are being is
sued to trap wild fur bearing animals
caused Mr.. Wallace to write story on
of the law, etc.
This act was inspired due to the
fact that the trappers in and out of
season had made terrific onslaughts
upon the ranks of the wild fur-bearin &
quadrepeds of the state to such an ex-
tent as to render many of the most
valuable species almost extinct" said
Mr.. Wallace. 1t was realized that each
year furs bring higher prices and that
the fur-bearing animal, being the pro-
perty of the state in their sovereign
capacity, should be taken only under
restrictions prescribed by law and
under such conditions as would con-
serve and not annihilate their ranks.
I'm earlier times Alabama abound ed
In wild fur bearing animals. Enormous
fortunes were made by trappers ant
traders who traversed the state, es
pecia1ly along water courses wher
they trapped and bought up the skin
of these animals from the Indians ant
floated their rich cargoes down th'
Alabama river to Mobile on RATS, O.
fiat boats, or down the Tennessee rive
to the Ohio, thence down the Missis
sippi to New Orleans.
Trapping has continued during al
these years, although no semblance o
protection has ever been afforded TO
the most valuable of the fur-bearinl
animals of the state, such as beaver
otter, mink fox. bear, muskrat. The
have been taken at will at all season
of the year, regardless of the fact tina
during the spring and summer an
early fall months. the fur is PRACTICAL
worthless.
PROVISIONS OF LAW
The new law for the protection O
wild fur-bearing animals makes it un
lawful for any person to take or at
tempt to take by the use of any traI
snare of net, or substitute therefor, an
muskrat. raccoon, opossum, fox, mini
beaver, otter or bear between March Is
and November 1st 1t Is likewise un
lawful for any person to trap thes
animals upon the lands of another wit
out having first secured a written per
nit from the owner or agent thereo
The law requires that every perso
who traps on lands other than he own
or rents must secure trappers license
obtainable from the probate judge, an
pay therefor the sum of SO.
1T is likewise unlawful for any per
son to have in possession the young c
the protected widd fur bearing animal
during the closed season.
when fur bearing animals are take
during the winter months the pelt
known as prime and if well cure
brings the highest market prices.
taken during the spring. summer G
early fall months the pelts of the will
animals, SO taken. are in many il
stances practically worthless
The beaver is the foremost Of all tn
mammals of the world in mechanic;
engineering skill. likewise in the habit
Of industry. The beaver builds lare
dams across the streams in order
make ponds and to furnish a safe r.
fuge in which to live, to feed and
rear its young. The beaver gnav
down trees which are so cut as
cause them to fall across the strear
They then thatch the brush and, usir
their tails as trowels. plaster the da
with mud. A prime beaver pelt in II
New York and St Louis market brini
$500. /,
.sThe otter is another bearing ar
nal. 1t loves water and feeds almo
entirely upon fish. The otter has webb
kAat and a tail which is thick and fls