The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-11-25
An Authority Speaks


Chairman Boyes then turned to
an introduction of Mr.. Smith, one
Of the principal speakers of the ev-
ening. The two men have known
each other for years and Boyes' in
production was humorous and witty.
he recounting joke or two on
Smith. He also complimented Mr..
Smith in glowing terms as being one
of the best posted men on game mat
tiers in the Northwest.
Il find il indeed a great pleasure
to come back TO Libby where |
started in the forest service 80 years
lago next January said Mr. Smith
III his opening remarks He then
evened up the sSore with the chair
man by telling a story or two of
his own, and then proceeded to a
discussion of game matters that I'M
questionably was one of the best
ever delivered in Libby AS every
man listened in deep interest, there
was no question as to the speaker
/ knowing every phase of his subject.
! Mr. Smith said. mo one knows a
terrible lot about game matters here
lin Montana. | have travelled over
/ the state for the past 20 years and
am beginning to change my convic-
tons on many things, said the
speaker.
Need Better Water Law
Smith said the water law in Mon
tana covered only three things-its
uses for irrigation, power and NUM-
cipal purposes. Not a thing is said
about conserving the streams for
the natural life found in the streams.
! he said. The crying need is a de-
termination of the best uses of the
water, so as to conserve the fish
! life as we'll as for other beneficial
fuses.
Too Many Elk Bad
He said it would pay to Watch
carefully the effect of elk on the
number CT deer. Il am fearful If
you get too many elk you will suf-
fer from the deer standpoint he
said The elk will win out in
competition for feed and will tend
10 drive out the deer. He said the
same food condition exists as to
| fish, that certain species will drive
out others. Care should be exerted
TO keep waters stocked with the
proper species.
Mr.. Smith advanced new ideas in
regard to game preserves or ref
Iuges. He said most refugees are estab-
lished in inaccessible places, where
few men would hunt anyway. Their
why refuge there? He favored
refugees down near civilization He
questioned to some extent the wis
dom Of refugees, but If they are le
be had make them small and sc
that they can again be opened tc
hunting. He considered them rather
a menace TO the scientific manage
ment Of Wildlife.
Give Commission Full Power
Mr. Smith said the state fish ano
game commission should have full
power to make rules and regulations
for the best handling of game mat.
tiers, and then decried the pres.
ence OF politics in game matters az
quoted above Mr.. Smith expressed
his deep appreciate of the invita-.
ton to talk to Libby men and closec
by saying that if he ever found hi:
car heading this way again he surely
would keep going right back tt
Libby.
Chairman Boyes expressed hi.
deep thanks to Mr.. Smith, and Their
introduced the other speaker, Mr.
<, 7. Scoyen, superintendent of Ola
cieJ national park. Mr.. Scoyen spoke
briefly before showing several reel.
of wildhfe pictures.
Favors Completion of No. 2
The park needs an outlet to the
west and we have always supported
early completion of highway No. q
said MIR. Scoyen we have OTTER
told the highway commission that
completion of No. was the mos,
important project from the stand
point of the park" This naturally
brought spirited applause from his
Libby audience.
! Mr. Scoyen then spoke briefly OF
game matters-food supply, excess