THE LEGITIMATE USE OF GAME 85 



but once been ridiculed as a sentimental cause, and 

 very, very little has been said in debate regarding 

 the absence of money values from the wild birds 

 and beasts. 



Up to this date, Congress has appropriated 

 during the last seven years at least $150,000 for 

 the founding of national bison ranges and herds, 

 but not once has an objection been raised because 

 the bison is no longer of economic value. On the 

 other hand, the friends of the bison have openly 

 declared to Congress that the movement to save the 

 species from extinction is based entirely on senti- 

 mental grounds. This state of feeling in Congress 

 is mentioned because it clears the atmosphere, and 

 relieves us of the necessity of defending the senti- 

 mental aspect of our work. 



It would indeed be most ungrateful to omit here 

 a just reference to the very important part that has 

 been played by the wild life of America in the 

 settlement and development of our country. In 

 fact, it is so far-reaching in extent, and so enormous 

 in potential value, that it fairly challenges the 

 imagination. 



From the landing of the Pilgrims down to the 

 present hour the wild game has been the mainstay 

 and the resource against starvation of the path- 

 finder, the settler, the prospector, and at times even 

 the railroad-builder. In view of what the bison 

 millions did for the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, 

 Kansas and Texas, it is only right and square that 



