166 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



new species, through the Department of Agriculture, I 

 can only express my belief. We know that when a game 

 club introduces birds they are ruthlessly destroyed by 

 persons having no interest in their preservation. The 

 newcomers are looked on as being imported for the rec- 

 reation of a wealthy gun club, and therefore a proper 

 subject of destruction. I hope and believe that a different 

 sentiment will be shown when such birds are looked on 

 as the subjects of national concern. Every boy and man 

 will feel that these strangers are the property of the na- 

 tion at large, and that everyone should take an interest 

 in seeing that they are suitably protected until such time 

 as they may be abundant enough to be the objects of occa- 

 sional pursuit. Above all, the protection of our remain- 

 ing natural resources must be the subject of an enlighten- 

 ed public sentiment. Meetings like this tonight are the 

 starting point from which such sentiment may proceed, 

 and I am sure the results of this annual meeting of the 

 League of American Sportsmen will be seen and felt in all 

 the years to come. 



SOME NEW LEAGUE MEMBERS 2 



The Hon. John F. Lacey, member of Congress from 

 Iowa, is an old-time sportsman, naturalist, and friend of 

 game protection. He tells me that of late his love and his 

 sympathy for the birds and the wild animals has almost 

 overcome his love of sport, and that he now feels little 

 inclination to shoot. He is still fond of the rod and reel, 

 and spends many a day on the water during his summer 

 vacations. 



He is one of the most ardent workers in Congress, and 

 has done a great deal in the interest of game protection. 

 As is well known, he is the author of the bill now pending, 



2 Under this heading, in the 'Recreation Magazine, occurs this sketch. 



