Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1919-12-30

such suggestion, shall ask the mem
bers Of the present commission t
resign and Immediately q new com.
mission viii be appointed.
Il wish It clearly understood that
whatever action the legislature may
take. there is to be an entirely new
commission. have even gone so fal
as to outline the personnel of that
commission in my mind The men in
question are citizens Of the highest
type; citizens in whom the people Of
the state may repose the utmost con
fidence. and citizens who have a deep
interest in fish and game life. They
are not connected with any of the
factional differences which have led
to the present unfortunate situation
and could start upon their difficult
task with open minds.
when I entered upon the duties
OF the governors office I found the
fish and game situation at the boil
ing point Charges, counter charges,
recriminations. allegations and coun-
ter allegations, all showed plainly
that discussion and strife were mar
ring the effectiveness of the commits
sion's work. These dissensions have
continued and have shaken public
opening wounds that can
not be healed as long as present con-
ditions last During my ten months as
q member of the commission Il have
heard more complaints, witnessed
more dissension, and have seen more
strife than have come in contact
with on all other boards and com.
missions with which I have been con-
nected during nearly ten years OF
public life, and l am satisfied the
public has had its fill of these con-
,entfons.
When I became ex-officio chair
nan of the Commission because of the
act that ! was governor, one Of the
irst matters coming prominently to
ny attention was the volume of com
'laints relative to the fish and game
commission. A great number of my
riends told me that there could be no
armony in fish and game affairs as
ong as the present commission ex-
5ted. These statements were supplies |
lented by numerous letters from ALL
yer the state which conveyed the /
anne information. Despite thesel
nings. I deemed it my duty to en-
eavor to secure a reconciliation OF /
le antagonistic interests if possible,
nd joined in the work as member Il
the commission with that end in
lew. The. commission, found, was
lade up Of men of excellent type and L
that time I believed harmonious I
Dnditions could be reached. After ii i
,ries of constant annoyances called Il
'r a hearing at which all of the va \
Gus factions were represented afHI
ecision arrived at to have an aualtl
the books, embracing complete,[
lvestigation of all of the coanmisyl
on's activities. SY3Ii
by careful watch Of conditiof1sl
became satisfied that, whatever incl
sport of the investigator might beSf
armony never could prevail. In cofYAI
squence, some time ago, I fully deJl
'rmined that new commission must
9 the only eventual solution. In,.H Il
brit or fairness to all concerned d&<'
sion was reached to delay action III +,
the findings of the investigated
ere completed and made public. B&f
lose findings, whatever they may II
), cannot amalgamate the conflict
g elements, nor can further concfl- i
tory efforts on the part of the exec
I've offices gain that result. For 4
at reason I am making this am
,uncement at this time