The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-30

to ~start something" not only by way Of reasonable protection and conser- walton, but in the establishment at no distant day of one or more hatch cries for restocking and propagation. Ihere's no reason on earth why Ala oama, like many progressive states, should not have at least one good state hatchery Two or three would De better still. As a practical eco- nomie proposition, they will be worth 10 the state, aside from the fields of sport and amusement, many times the cost of establishment and main tenance.
 In this connection some suggestions From well known friend of the rod and reel in another state are apro- pos. He writes;
 Somehow hardly feel dIffident about introducing myself, as both of our pens have created articles for numbers of outing publications. An- other introduction Is that we have flshed many similar waters. I have tlshed your Glacier National park country; also your Warrior river, the lakes of Florida, gulf tributaries and inietsi Reelfoot, the streams of west ern North Carolina, eastern Tennes- see, eastern Georgia, and elsewhere in your tracks.
 T would like very much to shake your hand for the courage you dis play in going to the front to put over effective legislation that will stop the slaughter of fish in the south as well as perpetuate the stock we have there, and create hatcheries for more You know as well as I do that dis tressingly small percentage even of people who like fishing as an Ideal outdoor sport pay any attention to trying to preserve the wonderful sup ply that once was left them. When l mention the word courage I state 1t emphatically. because I know how So many there fight every move of the kind that you are making under the plea that it is taking some rights from them. On the Conasauga river last summer I discussed this freely with the natives and others. and saw that 1t will be hard to get over any thing without real fighting punch be- hind it, and that means support of farmers and business men.
 Tt Is mighty nice to know you have organized a real club, and you should feel flattered that already you have so large and active a member ship. This shows the interest you folks have in the work. Tn fact, you have put your heart into 1t and mean business. Your scope of work Is to be tremendous in procuring hatch cries, legislation and conservation. all of which could be accomplished only by a large and active member ship, such as you have. You have a fight on hand, but you are going to win. With so many at work along practical. needful lines, you can't help It."
 This friend of the rod and reel has fished nearly all over the country. He Is lover of the great outdoors. But he Is more. He realizes the practical need for just such a move ment as is being led by the Alabama Fishermen's and Hunters association not only to prevent the destruction of fishing as sport. but as a big, practical, economic asset to the state
 The work of tho association means much to Alabama. It is going to be done largely along educational lines. One of the first. lessons to be taught Is that proper conservation and prop agation of fish and game In this state Is not taking from any individual or class any right. No citizen of Ala bama has the right ruthlessly to slaughter its fish and game. Anyone claiming such a right may as weir argue that he has the right to de- stroy the forests and watersheds.
 The real friend of fish and game in Alabama is going to endeavor to teach all who would soon destroy these great assets that they are en- gagged in the process of anihilatfnR a considerable part of the states pro- ductive wealth for the temporary qualification of a sadly misguided taste or habit. No man in Alabama has any more right to take from tho states waters large quantities of black bass during their spawning sea- son than he has to shoot female quail while they are setting Or raising . week-oid hraod.