The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-05
(Official City, State and County
NeWSpapcr)
The INnr Lake Battle

The Long Lake Battle
Incensed at the action of Burnie
Maurek, state game and fish COM
missioner, group of local sportsmen
have demanded that he and the fed
eral government give careful consid-
Grafton to the designation of Long
Lake as a federal game refuge be-
fore abandoning the idea.
There are two kinds of history be-
hind the actions leading up to this
proposal. One set of items appears
on the surface. The other lies hid
den in the mind and breast of the
state game and fish commissioner.
The known facts are these: The
federal government is interested in
the creation of game refugees that
wildfowl may not be deprived en-
tirely Of their breeding grounds. 1t
sent men into the state to look the
situation over and they, after care
full investigation, recommended Long
Lake as the most suitable site. Some
work would have to be done to raise
the water levels but this would be
relatively an inexpensive matter.
We know, further. that Maurek re-
Gently went to Washington and that
shortly after his arrival it was an
nounced he had recommended to the
federal biological survey that it aban-
don the Long Lake idea and look
further afield for a more suitable
site.
Maurek, as the states expert, took
it upon himself to challenge the opin-
ions Of the federal experts and to
throw the weight of the state gov
ernment behind the idea of change.
So. much for the surface history of
the case.
The real reasons for Maureks ac-
tion lie hidden In his own breast, but
members of the local committee are
specializing as to the factors which
might have operated upon him.
Some, of those whose political
friends also are Maurek's political
friends say frankly they fear politics
has entered strongly into the case.
Their story Is that Maurek, like a
good many others in public office,
has an ambition to succeed himself.
Granted this as a starting point, the
reasoning goes like this:
The next I. v. A. candidate for
governor will be John w. Carr of
jamestown and If Maurek is reap
pointed Carr will have to do It. II
the Nonpartisans win the governor
ship he won't have a chance any,
way. Maurek now is none too popu-
lar with the sportsmen and people of
Stutsman county and with this SEN
timent prevailing. Carr would not
think Of reappointing the present
commissioner in the event Of his elec-
ton.
Stutsman county recently has COM
pleted the Arrowood and Jim River
dams, enterprises we'll worth while
They are interested in making the
fullest possible use of them.
With this situation facing him, &C.
cording to some Bismarck I. v. AS
Maurek yielded to political tempta-
ton. He tried to throw over the Long
Lake improvement for one in a re.
gion where he thought it would dc
him more good.
It may be that the local entl,u-
siasts are unfair to the game AMI
fish commissioner: that his motive;
are as pure as the driven snow. II
SO, 1t Is to be hoped that the truth
will be disclosed at the proper time
that everyone interested may know
all the facts.
Meanwhile, the situation created BY
Maurek's action Is interesting Il
watch. It IS not impossible that some
attempt will be made locally to hole
him to account for his actions.