Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-21

qualification that the women of
Maine, as we'll as business men, are
beginning to appreciate this great
resource of the State, which brings
such fabulous returns for the small
amount expended. Many associations
have been organized, some of them
recently, for the sole purpose Of fur
thering the interest of fish and game
and assisting in creating public SEN
timent in favor of a proper enforce
ment of the fish and game laws.
More than half q million. or six
hundred thousand, tourists and
sportsmen visit our ic.ate every year
/. and the publicity bureau established
! is trying to increase this number to
million a year. which would leave.
on a low estimate, an average OF 500
apiece, or a hundred million dollars
annually instead of from fifty to sixty
millions, as at present. These vlsl-
tors must be properly taken care of
| IL we are to reap the increased bene-
fits. Fishing and hunting must be
! properly maintained. The eleven
hatcheries should be doubled in their
capacity: some of them have already
been enlarged but revenue should be
| provided for additional feeding sta
| lions and rearing pools. A stronger
force Of game wardens should patrol
! the forest and protest the game.
Thes peaker said, "1f we allow the
fish and game interests of the State
| to- decline. we cannot hope to hold
any great influx of visitors for long.
| They will go to other states now
wing with Maine in making their
states worth while as. great game
preserves"
| Then, too, the wonderful scenery of
our State should be we'll guarded as
it is Of untold value to this and fu-
ture generations. The speaker be-
| lieyes that Boards of Trade and
Chambers of Commerce are also
waking up to the necessity of foster
! ing this great asset of the State. He
spoke of Katahdin Park Game Pre-
serve and expressed the hope that
something would be done to feature
this great attraction-make it more
accessible-not that there should be
an auto road clear to the mountain
| but as far as Basin ponds. where a
short hike of oonly about three miles
would take one to the table land and
thence to Monument Peak. the high
est point in Maine.
One attraction, Lafayette Spring.
| brings, it is estimated million dol
lars into the State eveyr year, visi-
tors staying frequently several days
/ for the purpose Of seeing it and
seventy thousand visit it annually.
| OF how much more value would such
an attraction as Katahdin Mountain
, be if made more accessible, its rugged
| peaks and glacier-torn sides forming
/, the most interesting pile east of the
! Rocky Mountains. and Chimney pond.
| three thousand feet above the sea,
resting in an ampitheatre of sheer
prccipice which pierces the clouds two
! thousand three hundred feet above.
| presents awe-;ns piring grandeur that
is unsurpassed in this wonderful land
| Of the East.
| Mr. Parsons spoke Of what other
| States were doing. many of them with
| far less forest area expanding many
| hundred thousand dollars annually. one
| State with less than one-fifth of our
| game territory oXpcnding nearly mill
| lion dollars a year.
| He did not advocate any extravagant
! program. but believes in a small APP
! preparation with a reasonable license
| fee for those who fish and hunt the
| same as other States have adopted and
| which has proved 50 successful. Nom
residents pay license fee uncomplain
: ingly and he believes any genuine
F., sportsman would be willing to pay at
least one dollar a year when it goes
! to improve fishing and hunting. cspcc-
! tally if all children under sixteen be
exempt from such fee.
| Mr.. Parsons voted for woman suf-
| frage when i'll the Legislature and
! expressed confidence in the influence
which women are to exert in politics
| and the future development of tho
great resources of the State He drew
! interesting pictures of some Of Names
great attractions. is an enthusiast in
| his work and can see what, at moder-