LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



January 1, 1919. 

 Hon. S. V. Stewart, 



Governor of Montana, 



Helena, Montana. ' 



Sir: 



In compliance with Section 1982, R. C. of Montana and as amended by the Act 

 approved March 15th, 1917, your State Fish and Game Commission beg leave to 

 submit its biennial report, embracing its transactions during the years 1917 and 1918. 



At the time that the Legislative Assembly convened in January, 1917, the 

 Commission had met with a committee of the State Sportsmen's Association and 

 had carefully framed certain amendments to the then existing fish and game laws, 

 the bill prepared being to all intents and purposes a codification of all existing 

 State Game Laws, with such amendments as seemed proper both by the Com- 

 mittee representing the State Association and the Pish and Game Commission. 



The bill as prepared was presented, passed with amendments and approved. 

 Proper and adequate appropriations were made for conducting the fish and game 

 department, and funds therefor provided in the usual manner by the sale of 

 licenses, the cost of which was raised from one dollar to one dollar and fifty 

 cents for residents. 



The State fish car, Thymallus, having become unsafe for use, an appropria- 

 tion of $17,000.00 was provided for the purchase of a new car. It was thought that 

 the amount named would be ample for the purpose, but owing to changed condi- 

 tions, the higher cost of railroad equipment, and material of all kinds, it was 

 found that the sum appropriated would not purchase even a rebuilt second-hand 

 car, so that after most painstaking efforts your Commission was forced to repair 

 the old car as well as possible and to defer the purchase of a new one. The cost 

 of a new car we found to be not less than $24,600.00 for the plainest type and 

 from that price up to $50,000.00 for a more elaborate one. 



Locating Hatchery Near Findley, Montana 



(7) 



