Evening star., 1937-09-19
BY FREDERICK F. JORDAN.

BY FREDERICK F. JORDAN.
NEW YORK, September Is (NA.
N.A).-In Washington, some political
observers refer to wildlife restoration
as the "bow-legged girl; they believe
no one wants to have anythin gto do
with her. Those gentlemen have
little or no conception of the national
scene. Every one loves the bow
legged girl" for there is hardly man,
woman or child in these United States
who does not love an animal, bird, a
tree, a flower or stream.
President Roosevelt is one of the
most ardent conservationists who ever
sat in the White House, taking his
place alongside his dynamic prede-
cessor, Theodore Roosevelt, as lover
of wildlife.
Many members of the Senate and
the House likewise are believers in this
cause, yet the reason wildlife has
been neglected to large extent in our
legislative halls is that the public at
large does not know what to do about
voicing its support OF projects de-
signed to restore and save wildlife
for future generations.
That is why this week we began
the gigantic task Of mobilizing the
more than 100000 hunters and
fishermen, and the 10000 900 addi-
tional persons who belong to $4,000
societies or organizations which are
directly interested In wildlife restora-
ton.
In State of Deterioration.
Unless something is done to stop
the alarming destruction of our Wild
life resources, 100 years from now,
perhaps even 25, the wildlife of our
country shall have practically dis
appeared. 1t is In a state of de-
terioration now, for rivers and lakes
that once literally teemed with fish
are polluted and devoid of living
things; manhandled fields, over
drained marshes have ceased to pro-
duce the fur-bearing animals and
game birds on which past generations
Of Americans depended for their very
existence.
The causes have been brought out
by scientists. No less than 100000
900 acres of lakes and marshes which
were original wildlife breeding
grounds have been drained and other
old water levels lowered. Industrial
and municipal wastes have polluted
streams and lakes with disastrous
result, killing of not only wildlife
but also destroying hundreds of mil
lions OF dollars in pure water sup
plies. And l7o.o0o,o00 acres OF re-
naming public DOMAIN have been
overgrazed and partly denuded OF
their natural vegetation.
From = recreational issue, wildlife
has been recognized by authorities as
m economic and social cause, one in
which ali citizens should take an
active interest. For all OF us, a quite
apparent crisis exists. wasteful and
unscientific use Of the country's lands
and waters have deprived our animals,
birds and fishes Of place in which
to live.
Upon our wildlife has descended
forest fires. duststorms, erosion of
the soil, q dastardly pollution Of
streams. Our country, once so rich
In wildlife, will become a barren land
unless We act to prevent it. This
problem OF saving the great out
doors" is one in which all American
business should have a vital concern,
for millions Of dollars are returned
to 1t not only by sportsmen but by
al those who use the forests, rivers,
national parks for their recreation
and well-being.
Important to Farmers.
Then there Is the farmer, who not
only controls the latchstring to the
hunting fields, but also must realize
that wildlife in many forms is of ut
most importance to his crops.
We have seen the startling decrease
In antelope, ducks, upland game birds
and even the song birds that filled
the forests with their music. The
Pacific Coast rivers are falling of
rapidly in their supply of salmon; the
fish are being driven out of the Great
Lakes; the mighty Mississippi and the
Ohio are stagnant and polluted, and
New Yorks Hudson River is q menace