1910] FOBFST, GAME AT\ T D FISH WARDEN. 33 



yet it must be remembered that they wiere actuated in most cases, from 

 the standpoint of the sportsman aiid the desire to see our law enforced, 

 rather than from a mercenary motive, and we can never hope to have 

 the best of warden service, until we devise some means, and make suffi- 

 cient appropriations to carry on this work as has already been done 

 by most states. While it might be urged that one-half of the fine, 

 is sufficient remuneration for the services rendered by deputies, yet if 

 if we depend on this system, as the only pay that the deputy receives 1 for 

 his work, it will often result, as has been the case in the past, of the 

 deputy resorting to piensecutions as well as prosecutions, and thus; 

 making the law unpopular and ridiculous. 



However, imperfect as our warden system is, in this State, much hasi 

 has been accomolished under it, and by the aid of the many sportsmen 

 throughout the State, much more will be accomplished in the future. 



Pollution of Streams. 



The pollution of streams, is not only claiming the best thought and 

 attention of the people of our own State, but of all civilized coun- 

 tries. The pollution of our streams has a broader significance than the 

 mere destruction of tish, and if this pollution cannot, in some way, be 

 checked, ere another decade, our once beautiful clear streams of pure 

 crystal water, that is considered one of our greatest assets, will be so 1 

 contaminated, that they will not only be cess-pools of disease, but 

 will be wholly unfitted for use for man or beast. 



In attempting to enforce the statute, relative to the pollution of 

 streams, we have been met bj two opposing elements, both of whdch 

 seem to take the extreme view of the subject. One of the elements* 

 comprised the industrial interests of the State, such as our coal opera- 

 tions, paper mills, tanneries, and many other industrial concerns, that 

 have, in the past, found it most convenient to convent these streams 

 into sewers, and thus more easily get rid of the refuse from their in- 

 dustrial plants. Many of these people have argued most strenuously, 

 that it would retard; the development of the State, to in any wjay OT 

 manner, attempt to stop this pollution. 



The other extreme element, was composed of the people in general, 

 who said that the industrial concerns were not only killing our fish, 

 but were actually ruining the water supply of our whole State, and in- 

 sisted that it was the duty of the officers to shut down every industry 

 in the State that were in any way injuring oun water supply, or kill- 

 ing our fish. 



With criticisms coming thick and fast, from these two opposing ele- 

 ments, the only conclusion we could reach, was to begin in the middle 

 and work both ways. After consulting the Fish Commissions of sev- 

 eral other states, who had been struggling with these problems for 

 many years, we were convinced that much could be done to riemedy this 

 evil, and to an extent, at least, purify our streams, and in so doing, 

 not seriously cripple a single industry. 



