Evening star., 1932-11-17
FIGHT CONTINUES
OVER DUCK BLINDS
| ON POTOMAC RIVER
Humphrey Spokesman Ac-
cused of Issuing UItimatum
to Men at Fort.
PRIVATE HUNTING GROUND
DENIED BY COMMANDANT
Charge Trade Commissioner De-
manded Shooting Privilege
Denied by Economist.

The fight over control of the Potomac
River duck-shooting ground between
Fort Washington and Mount Vernon
ragged unchecked today despite the alb
sence Of the central figure in the con-
troversy, Federal Trade Commissioner
william E. Humphrey, who has slipped
away for the quieter waters of Chesa-
peake Bay.
The latest charge In the battle,
started when Commissioner Humphrey
complained that Fort Washington Off
GERS had made . private shooting
ground in the river opposite Mount
Vernon Memorial Highway, came from
Lieut.. Col. Louis Kunzig, commandant
of the fort. In an interview, at the
Army and Navy Club Kunzig charged q
spokesman for Commissioner Humphrey
served an ultimatum that unless
Humphrey was given a blind opposite
the fort, none Of the soldiers would be
permitted to shoot there this year.
Col. Kunzig said the statement was
made to Lieut.. James Regan, jr., secre-
tary Of the duck hunting club formed
by officers and enlisted men at the
Fort Washington post, by a man named
White Hugh White, economist Of the
Federal Trade Commission, said this
afternoon he had discussed duck shoot
ing with Lieut.. Regan, but denied em-
about withdrawing shooting privileges
from Army men.
Col. Kunzig Makes Statement.
when left him, I had a cordial
invitation to come back down to the
fort and shoot at any time" White said.
Col. Kunzig, referring to Commis-
sioner Humphreys charge that Army
officers had obtained a monopoly on
duck shooting from the Virginia shore,
said:
I'm the first place, officers alone do
not have the exclusive use OF the blinds
to which Mr. Humphrey referred. They
are maintained and used by the men,
bers Of q club formed about five years
ago. At present the membership con.
sists Of officers, "a enlisted men and
civilian"
He denied Humphreys charge that
officers have many blinds along the
river" and have taken up all avail
able shooting ground in the territory
mentioned"
The colonel said the club had only
4 blinds, while 27 can be seen along
the Virginia shore from Fort Washing
ton. He explained permits for the
blinds are taken out in the names OF
individuals due to q clause in the
MARYLAND statute prohibiting issuance
Of licenses to organizations.
One Of Blinds Requested.
"I am told" Col. Kun1g continued,
that while was absent from the fort
last week Maj. D. H. Gillette Of the
Engineer Corps called and asked that
Mr.. Humphrey be given one OF the four
blinds which our club operates. No one
was at the post who could give such
permission. so Mr.. White came down
to Fort Hunt.
Lieut.. Regan crossed the river to
meet him and showed him the blinds.
Lieut.. Regan reported to me that Mr..
White said that II Mr.. Humphrey was
not given q certain blind none Of US
would be permitted to shoot from our
blinds this year.
"Of course, I was hot about the de-
mand when I heard about it and made
no effort to comply. Had we given the
permission ! suppose that now we
would all be good fellows together"
Lieut.. Regan confirmed Col. Kunzig's
statement.
White branded the statement as "ab-
solutely untrue"
Economist Explains.
The economist explained his only
purpose In going down to look at the
blinds was In the interest Of game con-
servation. He said he happened into
Mai. Gillette's ONCE last week" and
during an informal conversation men
toned to the engineer officer In Col.
U. 8. Grants ONCE that there was
some agitation under way to prohibit
all duck hunting north Of Mount YER
non and to make that area into game
preserve"
Maj. Gillette called some one at
Fort Washington and told about the
agitation" White continued.
"As a result of that conversation I
was invited down to the fort to look
the blinds over The agitation had
been started by some one who thought
there were too many blinds along the
river in that spot. don't know who
it was"