Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10
HOUSE PASSES BILL
PROTECTING BIRDS
InvioIate Sanctuaries With
No Public Shooting Grounds
Provided by Measure.


Norbeck-Andresen bill establishing in
violate sanctuary to give further pro
lection to migratory birds and to more
effectively meet the obligations Of the
United States under the migratory birc
treaty with Great Britain.
Objections Are Removed.
As passed by the House all Of thu
Objectionable features in previous bire
and wild life sanctuary measures have
been eliminated and the measure carries
the united support of all associations
interested In the conservation OF wfe
life.
This measure establishes 100 per cent
inviolate bird Sanctuaries with no public
shooting grounds. 1t contains no pro.
vision for a Federal license fee. The
program of acquisition of land and water
for Sanctuaries runs over a period Of
10 years and contemplates creation Of
such sanctuaries In practically every
State in the Union. It provides for CO.
operative enforcement of the law be-
tween the several States and the
Federal Government.
Because of much misunderstanding
resulting from incorrect statements ir
newspaper articles, Representative
Andersen Of Minnesota, author of this
bill, today explained its provisions. The
House committee on agriculture struck
out all after the enacting clause in the
Norbeck bill and substituted therefor
the provisions of the bill introduced by
Mr.. Andersen on January %, 1929.
Under the license feature of the
original bill, the Post Office Department
was charged with the issuance of
Federal hunting licenses, but the elimi-
nation of these licenses removes the
interest of the Post Office Department,
and because Of the responsibility of the
Secretary of the Interior for administra-
ton of the public lands, he has been
made member of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Commission.
In earlier legislation for the purpose
OF exempting hunters from the neces-
Sity Of obtaining a Federal license to
hunt woodcock, doves. wild pigeons and
yelloWlegs, these species were excepted
from the definition of migratory birds
but since the license feature has been
eliminated this exception no longer
stands.
Better Cooperation Aim.
Specific provision is made for more
workable arrangement for cooperation
between the States and Federal Gov
eminent in the administration of
sanctuaries to be established, and this
Is In accordance with the recommended
uonS Of the Secretary Of Agriculture.
The Senate bill authorizes 100000
appropriation annually for an indefinite
period. The House bill, however, pro-
vides $4,000 for the first year, 5000, 900
for the second year, 100000 for the
third year and 81 100000 annually for
the next seven years.
The Department of Agriculture re-
ported that the welfare of migratory
birds requires at least l25 sanctuaries.
one or more in each State of the Union
and In the Territory of Alaska.
Particular attention has been given
70 safeguarding the rights of the State
IN connection with the establishment
of Federal Sanctuaries for migratory
birds. The chief game official of each
state or his authorized representative
or the governor of the State having no
game department is made member of
the commission for the purpose of con-
sidering and voting on all questions re-
lating to acquisition of all areas for
sanctuary purposes. The bill also pro-
vides that no area may be acquired in
State until after the State has con-
the Federal Government. There is
also reserved to the State Jurisdiction,
both civil and criminal, over persons
upon areas acquired by the Government
under the law.
It is specifically stated that the act
Is not intended to interfere with the
operation of the game laws Of the sew
eral States applying to migratory birds
IA so far as they are not inconsistent
with Federal law, and there is q dis
tinct provision that when State shall
by suitable legislation provide for the
enforcement of the Federal law and
regulations on the sanctuaries it NAV
cooperate with the Secretary of Agri-
culture in such enforcement,
Other Factors Involved.
Secretary Jardine of the Department
OF Agriculture emphasizes that the &C
QUESTION of areas suitable for refugees,
although primarily intended to in
crease the numbers OF wild fowl, really
involve a number of other important
factors of definite advantage to the
public. 1t Is serious mistake. he said
70 believe that all drainage of water or
marsh areas Is public benefit, because
actual experience has shown In numer-
Gus instances that drainage has result
ed IN the destruction of water areas
which have very profitable uses. and
nave left instead land of little or no
agricultural value.
Under proper conditions, Secretary
Jardine points out, many lakes, ponds.
sWamps and marsh area will yield dis
tinctly larger returns financially and
otherwise than would the same areas
drained for agricultural purposes. The
development and utilization of all avail
able products of such areas is termed
water farming"
IN addition to the returns that water
ana swamp areas may yield In wild
FOWL, many other benefits NAV result
along the following lines:
l. A valuable supply Of food and
game fish.
2; Their usual return in furs from
Sucn ANIMALS as beavers, muskrats,
skunks and raccoons,t which FREQUENT
them.
8. Their production in certain areas
OF grasses, valuable for forage. or for
the manufacture of grass rugs and
otner commodities, which have devel-
opend profitable industry; also in
suitable areas, the production of willow
suitable Tor baSketry, wicker furniture
and other purposes.
4. natural Ice supply.
5. Definite help they afford in main
tanning the underground water level
which is essential for the production
OF forests and other vegetation, and fol
subirrigation of hay and other agricul-
tural lands.
6. Their invaluable function in hold.
ing back the run-of of flood waters
and in assisting to prevent excessive
erosion and other flood damages. The
systematic drainage of shallow Lakes
and swamp areas along drainage way.
will greatly increase the danger O,
floods and the destruction of life ans
property. The effect of too extenSiv,
drainage deserves careful attention In
view of its direct relation to the public
welfare.
Z: Many Of the more attractive O.