104 



REPORT OF THE PISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



enlisted, so far as possible, as infoniiants and cooperators in such other 

 lines as were jiossihle, altliouiih a considei-able pari cannot understand 

 just why the state eannut take a spoi'tinij- chance iipnii their services 

 towai'd the conservation of sjjoi't. 



Likewise, were it possible to keep an accurate record of requests for 

 information coining along the various avenues of inquiry — mails, tele- 

 phones, calls at the office — the percentage of increase would l)e found 

 to have approximately doubled each year. AVhile in great measure such 

 inci'cases may be diu' to the establishment of a comprehensive and aicn- 

 rate "Sportsman's Information IJureau" as an adjunct of its general 

 work, the explanation is in part found in the steady widening out of 

 the Fish and (iame Commission's activities; and to a natural following 

 up of the very great annual increases in the nnmbers of hunters and 

 anglers licensed. 



LICENSE SALES. 



Most public service bodies are charged with the expenditure of 

 moneys turned over to them from the general tax funds on a ])re- 

 arranged basis which admits of budgeting expenditures, and arranging 

 outlays in advance. The Fish and GJame Connnission happens to be 

 numbered among those which must support their own efforts by a direct 

 taxation of the more immediately benefited class; and for many years 

 past, conservation has in no sense been a charge upon the general tax 

 funds of the state. Surely, in a state whose phenomenal growth stands 

 as a monument to the pulling power of her manifold attractions, no 

 extended elal)oration of the argument is necessary ; and it is needless, 

 for the sportsmen of southern California have most nobly proved, not 

 only that they can, but that they most heartily will, pay the costs of 

 propagating and protecting fish and game. Xoi' do they ask more than 

 that their moneys shall be expended as intelligently and as ett'ectively 

 as a board of business men, backed by the ablest experts in their several 

 lines obtainable, shall direct. Witti the collection of those moneys, the 

 average sportsman has little concern; but since the financing of con- 

 servation work is its very foundation, the Fish anil (lame Commission 

 must needs give the utmost consideration to increasing its revenues by 

 greater placing of licenses, since each brings in the single dollar income 

 that was established when a dollar did double duty as compared with 

 today. 



To the end that the public might more easily procure licenses, and 

 revenues be increased by a larger volume of sales, Commissioner M. J. 

 Council, who has charge of this Southern Division, recommended, and 

 after eonsideral)le effort, secured a law which permits the Commission 

 to issue — not to sell — any number of licenses to any selected agent, to 

 exact a bond, or cash-deposit equal in value to the amount of the licenses 



