GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. 17 



Several of these recommendations have aheady been acted upon 

 favorably, those regardmg the close seasons for the muskrat, marten, 

 white fox, and beaver, and that relating to unprime skins being now- 

 embodied in the revised regulations issued March 26, 1913. That 

 recommending a bounty on wolves has also been approved, and it is 

 hoped Congress may enact such a law. The other recommendations 

 are proper ones, and the Bureau has already taken steps toward their 

 realization. 



In addition to the foregoing recommendations, it is vitally impor- 

 tant that the law of April 21, 1910, be amended so as to give more 

 power to the Secretary of Commerce. Section 4 of that act, when 

 strictly interpreted, gives the Secretary power only to prevent the 

 killing of fur-bearing animals. It has been questioned whether he 

 has any power to prevent the pursuit, Capture, or possession of fur 

 animals at any time, or any authority over the shipment of the 

 animals alive. The law should be amended so as to cover all these 

 points. 



The Bureau's force of five wardens is entirely inadequate to 

 secure a proper observance of the regulations in all parts of that 

 great territory. The number should be increased so that a deputy 

 warden could be stationed during the shipping season at each of the 

 most important shippmg points and so that one may remain during 

 the trapping season in each of the important fur regions. 



