Arizona republican., 1920-03-07

Let them mate and breed. Sports men don't permit the minions of Uncle
 Sam to shoot the harpoon of justice into you. Don't transgress by spring shooting. Set steady in the boat until higher courts have given . final de-
 cision on the validity of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many queries have
 been showered on me from both United States and Canada asking for answers on the present status of the Federal Bird Law" prior to the Spring flight" There has been no United States su- preme court decision given on consti- tutionality of the law, but q number of convictions under the Treaty Ac- have
 been secured in the lower courts The Canada United States Migratory Bird Treaty was signed in 1916. whereby 537 species of migratory birds in thei: diff ferent families, were protected against spring shooting.
 Judge Van Valkenburg of Kansas City, Mo-, on July ., 1919, trie1 and convicted Messrs. DeLapp and Samples for shooting migratory bircs contrary to the provisions of the treaty act. At torney General Frank W. EcAllister of the state of Missouri, was one os the staff of legal defense for the sic- cused. \ fight was made against con- stitutionality of the treaty and re- straining order asked, preventing United states Game Wardens from o. erating in Missouri. Judge Van Vii- kenburg held the treaty valid and re- fused to issue a restraining order Frank w. McAIlister, It is alleged, was arrested on March G. 1919, with party of friends, for violation of the federa, duck law, and placed under ncPds of $1000 each, pending triel. This inn portant arrest is a go den opportunity to test the validity of the migratory treaty. Being under arrest, it is his iz-ifza Tn mn s3 e trial. If found guilty in the lower court an appeal could be taken urging an immediate hearing and final de- eiSion for which millions Of sportSnler have waited for many years. Tie final showdown could pc attained by MT. McAllister, a decision which all good sportsmen will accept as the ul- timatum. MT. Frank. you are the log ical ''Sportsmens' Moses 10 lead us from the legal wilderness and jungle blazing, by a United States supreme court decision, an open trail which will guide all hunters into the zone Of safety. If the migratory treaty should be declared bad law, observing sportsrnen will declare the cessation of spring shooting good sense in the perpetuation of wild bird life. More migra tory birds were found in every locality last fall than have been seen for many, many years. Had this been true only in special districts, the an swer would have been more grass, nuts,
 mast, celery, wild rice or a better stage Of water. Universal confirming reports spell the marked increase in bird life.
 Regardless of ultimate court decision upon treaty constitutionality, a final verdict will be rendered by the sports men of America as an entirety, based upon observation coupled with duck sense. Spring shooting is doomed a thing of the past-gone never to re- turn. The notable increase in aquatic birds has united thinking sportsmen against killing birds during or imme diate1y prior to their nesting seasons. Universal protection will not counte- nance local option shooting" Con- sessions must be conceded in the diff ferent zones on an equitable basis.