Evening star., 1928-04-28

Interest In the welfare Of migratory
birds In shown by the public In the
chorus OF approval that comes from
the country, following the passage by
the Senate Of the Norbeck bill, provid-
ing for Federal sanctuaries Although
the issue OF the rights OF individual
States has been raised. the general re-
pIy is that this is q national obligation
and. so far as Canada Is concerned, an
international matter.
''The bill sponsored by the South Da-
kota Senator may have Its faults" says
the Charleston Evening Post, especial
iy since 1t speaks OF shooting grounds
within the refugees In some cases ana
stable squads OF game wardenS also.
but its purpose Is lofty one, In some
States. TO be sure. the question OF bird
haveng is going ahead speedily, and this
is commendable. but not so general nor
so promising as 10 preclude those who
make the laws from agreeing on a
sensible course Of action by the Gov
ernment."
III the principle of Federal control
over migratory birds Is sound-~and the
United States Supreme Court holds
that II is sound-~the Government owes
the birds all due protection" declares
the st. Louis Post Dispatch, while the
Manchester Union states: Bird protec~
tion is an international problem of
great Importance. Many birds Journey
vast distances in migration and they
thus impose upon the various countries
they traverse q Joint responsibility for
their welfare. 1t Is useless 10 give
migratory birds protection In one coun-
tft IA "a lft9-
mate slaughter In an adjoining land
A good beginning toward the preserva-
ton OF migratory birds In North Amer
lea WAS made by the migratory bird
treaty between the United States and
Great Britain"
n +4A
"Conceding the sanetuaries are vital
10 the perpetuation Of our birds-~and
there are few who dispute It," says the
Newark Evening News, I'VE are not
doing cur share, nor playing fair with
our treaty partner, unlsss we provide
them within our borders, And the
longer the delay the more serious will
be the effect on one of the Nations
most valuable natural resources" The
Springfield Daily News states; "Indi-
vidual States may protect birds within
their boundaries. But birds are inter-
Hihlb dulIIlhlhs Inc 3thte WHICH pro-
tecta migratory game birds has accom-
pllshed nothing for itself with birds If
the birds are killed while crossing some
other State 10 reach the protected ter
rilory Local self-aovernment does not
accomplish the needed result, and 40
the Federal Government must step IN !"
1T Ii the measure that many cons
lileting interests and conseryatiOnistA
from every part OF the country agreed
on" according To the Milwaukee jour
nal which offers the further comment.
In reply 10 certain criticism: "Many
Will agree that Federal game aanctll~
aries should not be killing grounds for
anybodya benefit They will insist that
they shall not be opened 10 public shoot
ing, They will object, also, t0 locating
private hunting grounds Just outside
these preserves Yet any state In
which q Federal game preserve Ii made
could close the Immediate, surrounding
territory 10 hunting. Should birds get
no resting grounds or sanetnarlaS bee
cause people may gather around their
edges 10 ahont? We cannot
leave migratory protection 10 the
| states, They never have acted, and
! perhaps never will. under any plan
that really viii slss pFoAeasiaA 70 aFeAs