The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1920-01-29
Game Warden Munich of Crook
ston Addresses Bemidji
Assn. at Luncheon
VALUE OF BIRDS IS
STRONGLY EMPHASIZED
REYNOLDS Would Reduce Fire
Hazards; Capt. Moore Re-
ports on M. N. G. Co.

life was the feature of the noon-day
luncheon delivered by William
Munich, Crookston game warden, to
the business men assembled at the
meeting of the Bemidji Civic and
Commerce association Wednesday,.
The value of bird life was brought
out plainly by Mr.. Munich, who stat
ed that from statistics compiled by
authorities it has been ascertained
that if all the bird life in the world
was to die today all other life, in
Guiding human and animal, would be
extinct in 20 years time. Owls are
actually worth $40 to the farmer,
who is fortunate. enough to have one
on his farm. In making this esti-
mate the damage done by mice and
other rodents which the owls destroy
was figured closely.
If bird life could be increased SO
per cent, there would be a saving Of
millions of dollars, states Mr.. Munich,
in that the birds destroy insects
which are harmful to crops to that
extent.
House cats are a detriment to bird
life and no action has ever been
taken to stop the destruction of the
cat family. A kill the cat" cam
paign is advised for Bemidji. Cats
for rate killing are valuable # kept
in the right place but few cats are
valuable in this line.
Should Organize Club.
The food value of game is esti-
mated at two million dollars a year
and in this respect a club should be
organizedi in Bemidji for the protec-
tion and preservation Of the game
life. Mr.. Munich advised the pro-
tective league to publish a map
showing the lakes in this vicinity
and the varities of fish to be found
in each. The map should also show
good camping sites nda boarding
places near the lakes. Such a club
should cooperate with the local
game warden and every effort should
be made to procure as large a men,
bership as possible in the protective
league to bring wild life back again.
DR.. Palmer's Experience.
LII. ". WI. I dllllcI gave du iACO1 cSC~
ing talk on his experience with the
birds of which he has always had
many on his city property, by provid-
ing bird houses for them and by CIV
ing them good care. The detriment
of the English sparrow was also dis
cussed as we'll as means Of getting
rid of the pest. DR.. Palmer urged the
game club 10 work with Superintend-
ent Bagby of the city schools and in
this way procure the aid of the chill
dren in the preservation of bird life
A boy with sling-shot or an air
rifle does a large amount of damage
to the task of preserving bird life
and efforts should be made to get the
children intereste~ in the protective
game instead of the destructive
feeling.
Would Reduce Prices.
H. E. Reynolds Of Reynolds and
Winter, real estate dealers, gave
talk on the need of a campaign to
clean up the city in an effort to re-
duce the fire risk. The losses in Be-
midi durin gthe year of 1919 was
$15O,450 and the los 6or this year
Will U0 DIS muCu VI cfcu IuOlc dI Luc
rate it has been for the past two
months. He advised campaign to
be started at once and asked tnat
committee be appointed from the Be-
midi association to aid the fire chief
in the work Of inspecting the fire
risks in this city. A complete report
would be made public after the in
spection Of the risk enabling every
one in the city to know the condition
of the adjacent property. The asso-
citation has decided to do all it can
to aid in the campaign.
Capt. Moore Reports.
Captain Daniel Moore of Bemidji's
new Natioanl Guard unit gave a re-
port on the present outlook for the
company He stated that ia had
enlisted, but Of that number there
were several who were over As years
of age and after wedding out a few
there are 1O6 left, which he is sure
will pass muster. The enlistment
blanks of this number will be sent to
the Adjutant General as soon as pos
sible and it will soon be ascertained
at what time the company will be
mustered in.