The Coconino sun., 1919-06-20
CONGRESSMAN HAYDEN
 ADVOCATES MONEY FOR
 RODENT DETERMINATION

of exterminating predatory animals, as we'll as losses to stockmen and ranchers by their depredations. The amendment tp increase the appropria- tion was lost, but the information will be of interest to ranchers and stockmen. Hayden said in part:
 "An appropriation by Congress of half a million dollars would still leave the stock-raising States of the West offering to assist in more than twice that sum; and it is. entirely proper in this, as it is in other matters, for the United States to go at least half way, particularly when the Govern ment owns such large areas of for est and public lands which serve as breeding grounds for these injurious animals. We must not forget that the States have no control over nor power to tax these Government lands. l am quite positive that if the wolves and coyotes and prairie dogs could be eliminated from the national forests the increase in grazing fees would more than pay for all of the expense of exterminating them.
 "Over $20,000,0 each year is lost l IO JIuS COuHCIy III CdtblC anu SlGCp killed by the predatory animals on the ranges; and yet it is entirely possible to eradicate these animals and save that amount of meat supply Last year the organized hunters of the Bi- 1 logical Survey killed 2,000 wolves. 75,O00 coyotes, 10000 bob cats, and | PTS mountain lions. Live stock valued at over S4,000,000 was saved by the destruction of these predatory ani- mals, yet the expense to the United States for this good work was only about S100,000. Certainly that was a good investment. Gentlemen from city districts who are always inter- ested in an adequate supply of meat should heartily support this amend ment, because it means greater meat production.
 But the damage done by predatory animals is small compared to the loss created by injurious rodents. It has been conservatively estimated that crops and forage valued at $500, ,0OO,- 900 are annually destroyed in the United States by rodents.
 "That interesting little prairie dog which one sees from the car windows as he travels over the West destroys grass. enough to feed million cattle and a million sheep. Exterminate them and the meat production of America will be increased by that amount. Last year the Biological Survey spent about $150,000 in the campaign against prairie dogs and other rodents, which resulted in sav- ing of at least SIS, 3,00O, 900 in crops alone. Is there anywhere else in this appropriation bill that a greater re- turn can be shown for the money?
 "This is work that should be com pleted. It is possible to exterminate the gray wolf within five years, and the Biological Survey will do it if Congress appropriates the money. It is possible to completely eradicate the prairie dog-to make it as extinct as the dodo. The grass they now waste will be left to support increasing num- bers of cattle and sheep. Congress can not appropriate any sum of money that will accomplish more good for all the people of the United States than the amount carried in this appropria- tion, and which for that reason should 1 be materially increased. The plan of the Biological Survey is to map the localities in which these rodents exist and then completely eradicate them in a given area. If colony of prai- rie dogs is left in part of the area they will soon multiply and be as de- structive as ever. The whole colony must be absolutely exterminated, not a prairie dog left. If the work is done in that way the counties and states are glad to cooperate, because experience has shown that effective results can be obtained.
 "The American National Livestock Association at its last annual conven- tion at Denver advocated an addi- tional annual appropriation by Con- gress of at least $500, 900 for this pur- pose. The association recommended that all of the State bounty laws be repealed, and that the money which has been wasted in the payment of bounties to trappers be turned over to the Biological Survey for expenditure in cooperative work in the destrlc- ton of predatory animals and injuri- ous rodents. The State of Arizona, in |