BUREAU OF THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY IO i 



force. Thus federal protectors are deputized as state war- 

 dens and certain state wardens are designated federal dep- 

 uties. 37 In one year the fines collected by the states for 

 violation of state game laws reported by the United States 

 protectors acting as state deputies amounted to $I3,4OO. 38 

 Another means is by informal conference and exchange of 

 information. 



When an arrest is made for violation of a federal game 

 law the offender is taken before the nearest United States 

 commissioner, bail fixed, and the prisoner released. Affi- 

 davits are prepared by the officer making the arrest and by 

 witnesses, if any, and sent to the Division headquarters in 

 Washington, where they are turned over to the solicitor of 

 the Department of Agriculture. He evaluates the evidence 

 and if he believes the government has a case, prepares a 

 suggested " information " for the use of the local United 

 States district attorney which is sent him via the Depart- 

 ment of Justice. 39 The case is then taken into the federal 

 district court for trial. 



A very important work of the protectors is to examine 

 the books and records of fur houses located within their 

 district. The information thus obtained is of the very 

 greatest assistance to both state and federal enforcement of 

 the fur laws. 



The issuing of permits for bird-banding, for the taking 

 of certain species, and for their possession after the end of 

 the closed season is also handled by a section of this Divis- 

 ion. This applies to migratory birds over which the federal 

 government was given jurisdiction by the Treaty Act re- 



37 This form of cooperation would be used to an even greater extent 

 were it not for the fact that some state constitutions forbid state em- 

 ployees to hold office under the federal government while employed by 

 the state. 



38 Report of the Chief (1932), op. cit., p. 28. 



39 The whole procedure is discussed in more detail in Chapter VI II, 

 Problems of Game Law Enforcement, p. 207. 



