24 



FISH AND GAME. 



regular district deputies. Under the new system this training school has 

 been modified only as the certified appointees are first made special 

 deputies before they are appointed to positions as district wardens. 



Town Wardens. Recently an effort has been made to strengthen the 

 deputy force by the appointment of town wardens to aid the district 

 deputies. One man is appointed to a town or city under the present law, 

 on request of the mayor and aldermen or selectmen, and may receive $50 

 per year for protecting the fish and game. In this way it is hoped to 

 build up an efficient working system of law enforcement. These men assist 

 the district deputy, and make possible more adequate control of his dis- 

 trict. The system is as yet in its infancy, as but 30 cities and towns have 

 taken advantage of this act, but those wardens who have been appointed 

 have thoroughly demonstrated their willingness, interest and efficiency 

 in a manner which augurs well for its ultimate success. 



Unpaid Deputies. The system of unpaid deputies, in force for a 

 number of years in this department, is gradually being eliminated, owing to 

 its lack of efficiency. In the light of actual results little has ever been 

 accomplished by this method of law enforcement. The failure of this 

 system was largely due to the inefficiency and lack of interest on the part 

 of the majority of unpaid wardens. This lack of interest was manifest 

 on the repeal of the law permitting the warden making a conviction to 

 receive a moiety of the fine. Many of the unpaid deputies who are re- 

 tained at the present time are leading citizens in their respective communi- 

 ties, and being well posted in fish and game matters are willing to make 

 great personal sacrifice for the good of the cause in the interests of citizen- 

 ship. The Commonwealth has profited much by services of this type, 

 and it is eminently desirable that such men be retained, while the other 

 class, who seek merely special personal privilege, be eliminated. 



Assaults. Several cases of assaults upon deputies have been brought 

 before the courts. In each instance a substantial fine was imposed. The 

 most notable occurred on Dec. 23, 1913. A deputy was struck on the 

 head with a loaded shotgun in the hands of a Rhode Island hunter of 

 national reputation as a crack shot and so-called sportsman. The gun 

 was discharged and a hole blown through the side of the barrel, severely 

 wounding the deputy. The case was finally tried before a jury and a fine 

 of $1,000 was paid. The other assaults were made by unnaturalized 

 foreigners. 



Violations of Fish and Game Laws. 



