STATE GAME AND FISH WARDEN. 13 



the approval of most of the State Game Wardens and Com- 

 missioners throughout the United States, but there is some 

 opposition among- the sportsmen of the country, alleged to be 

 on account of the possible infringement of the sovereignty 

 of the respective states. 



At the sixth biennial convention of the National Association 

 of Game and Fish Commissioners, held in Denver last August, 

 a motion was carried to appoint a standing committee of five 

 to prom.ote greater uniformity of the game laws of the several 

 states — J. H. Acklin, Commissioner of Tennessee ; H. C. Davis, 

 Commissiner of Delaware; John B. Burnham, President Ameri- 

 can Game and Protective Association; Jesse E. Mercer, Com- 

 missioner of Gorgia, and James Henry Rice, Jr., Commissioner 

 of South Dakota. This committee drafted a report that is 

 woithy the earnest consideration of every sportsman in the 

 United States and in part is as follows : 



"The committee, after careful consideration of existing pro- 

 visions in the several States, and after consultation with miem- 

 be's "f the National Association of Audubon Societies and the 

 United States Biological Survey, concluded that it would be 

 impractical, on account of constitutional limitations and di- 

 \-ersity m the form of state laws to attempt to draw up a 

 ganve iaw suitable for adoption in all of the forty-eight States. 

 The c .mmittee does not feel that, with the limited time at 

 its disposal for the preparation of a preliminary report, it 

 can do more than make a few recommendations, regarding 

 certain important principles, and must leave to the officers 

 in each State the fomulation of amendment covering such points 

 as may meet with their approval in such manner as will best 

 conform with the statutes of that State. 



Commissioners are urged to consider these recommendations 

 in ccrnection with their annual reports, to suggest to the 

 committee other subjects in which greater uniformity is most 

 needed, and to send a capy of such suggestions to the U. S. 

 Biological Survey. 



Recommendations — General. 



(a) That in drafting game laws, the plan of permissive law, 

 as originated in Colorado and recently incorporated in the 

 conservation law of New York and other States, be adopted 

 so far as possible. This plan simplifies the law, directs atten- 

 tion to proposed amendments and avoids special legislation 



