Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-01-03

in the out-of-doors. Nature offers the best anti
dote for the manifold Ills Of modern civiliza-
tion too complex especially in big cities. to be
wholly sane and safe.
Most of us turn naturally to the joys Of the
outdoors, and have an instructive interest in wild
animal life That man is less than full stature
who has no love for nature and appreciation
OF her manifold beauties and benefits In some
this love and appreciation is latent only needing
awakening To awaken this love and appreciation
In the American people is one Of the main pur-
poses of the national parks movement. 1t would
convince that nature has her lessons, her rest her
healing touch. would teach eyes to see and ears
to hear. Hitherto too many nature-overs have
used only their hearts and not their heads. Our
national parks records of the earth in it's max
Ing, vast museums of geology flora and fauna.
Settlement and civilization of course inevitably
drive out most forms of wild animal life. The
time will presumably come when an American
will have to go to national park to see big game
in its natural habitat But apparently the Ameri-
can people have at last determined to put off the
evil day as long as possible
Here are three things that show the temper Of
the American people on the subject Of conserva-
ton of wild life:
The first Is the emphatic protest by several i'm
portant conservation organizations against the es
tablishment Of the Louisiana Gulf Coast club with
1000 members, each of whom pays $1,000 for a
share of stock. 1t is primarily duck-shooting
club to be located on Pecan Island, in the midst
Of the winter home of our waterfowl, as shown
in the accompanying map.
Mr.. McIlhenny has long been prominent con-
servationst, especially in connection with this
region He holds that the club is really conser-
walton measure and that it will prevent the pres
ent indiscriminate Illegal slaughter of the water
fowl by turning the tract in question into abso-
lutte sanctuary nine months of the year. The prot
estants call it the "Abattoir Club and assert
that it is a menace to the nations migratory
birds. T. Gilbert Pearson, president of the Ma
tional Association of Audubon Societies, stepped
into the breach with the announcement Of plan
to buy the 1000O0-acre tract on which the club
has an option and to add it to the adjoining sane
tuaries.
The second thing is that Senator Medill McCor
mick Of Illinois will introduce a bill in this con.
gress providing for the conservation by the fed
ieral government Of 300 miles Of river bottoms
along the Upper Mississippi between Lake Pepin,
Mimi. and Rock Island, H. This region is the
spawning place of innumerable fish of many va.
rieties. Plans have been made to drain the river
bottoms for farm lands The Izaak Walton league
which claims 100000 members, sponsors the bill,
supported by the General Federation of Womens
Clubs and other organizations.
The third thing is that the Public Shooting
Grounds Game Refuge BILL passed by the sen.
ate and beaten in the house in the last congress.
is likely to pass this congress- 1t proposes the es
tablishment by the federal government of public
shooting grounds and game refugees out of funds
to be provided by 81 license to be paid annually
by shooters It's promoters hold that under IL
the nations waterfowl will be increased in number
and that the "poor man" will be given chance
to shoot
One thing is sure: Conservation of these natural
resources calls for eternal vigilance Commercial
industry has conscience; it will invade ma
tional park as unconcernedly 1t pollutes a
Tho hi nfo and fho
are always with us and are restrained only by
fear of the law. Unfortunately until we are be,
come better Americans we cannot all be sports.
men-the gentlemen of outdoors