FIRST BIENNIAL STATEMENT 67 



clincher inserted this additional permissive amendment, in lines 13 

 and 11: "artificial and ornamental feathers, suitable for use as millinery 

 ornaments." 



Date unknown. — The Democratic caucus approved the destruction of the 

 bird-saving clause, and in effect bound the entire Democratic majority 

 in the Senate to maintain the feather importers' program. This 

 action was equivalent to the passage of the bill, because the demo- 

 cratic senators were firmly bound on the Senate floor to the deadly 

 unit rule" ! 



July 7.- — Senator McLean's resolution (S. 25) calling upon the president 

 to propose international treaties "for mutual protection and preser- 

 vation of birds" was passed by the Senate. 



July 14. — The "Steam Roller Circular," signed by 24 leaders in wild life 

 protection throughout the United States, was issued from the New 

 York Zoological Park, and widely distributed by many organizations. 



July 21. — Senator George P. McLean introduced an amendment to H. 

 R. 3321 (the Tariff bill) to restore the entire bird protection clause 

 of section 357 to its original form. Referred to Committee on Finance. 



Aug. 6.— "Wild Life Call," No. (5, was issued by W. T. Hornaday, and 

 sent to members of Congress. It quoted in full the editorial utter- 

 ances of twenty-eight representative newspapers regarding the 

 struggle with a ruling minority in the U. S. Senate over the plumage 

 clause in the tariff bill. 



Sept. 2. — The plumage clause was taken up in the Democratic caucus, 

 for the third time, at a night session, and for three hours a battle 

 was fought over that clause. The fight for the clause as originally 

 written was led by Senators Chamberlain and Lane of Oregon. The 

 caucus voted once to stand by the Finance Committee, confirming the 

 plumage trade in a sweeping victory; but the Oregon senators 

 "bolted," and led a revolt of such formidable proportions that the 

 caucus yielded, and finally voted to accept the House provision without 

 alteration. This was the end of the struggle. 



Oct. 1. — By proclamation of the President, the regulations framed and 

 promulgated by the Department of Agriculture for executing the 

 provisions of the national migratory bird law went into effect all 

 over the United States, but with only $10,000 for its enforcement. 

 This law stops all spring shooting, puts 54 species of shore birds 

 under continuous protection, and protects from slaughter in the 

 United States and Alaska, all song and insectivorous birds. 



Oct. 4. — The tariff bill became a law; and all importations of wild birds' 

 plumage into the United States and its colonial possessions immedi- 

 ately ceased. The law does not prohibit the sale of plumage im- 

 ported prior to October 4. The enforcement of the plumage law 

 by the Treasurv Department has been very strict and thoroughly 

 effective. Much irritation has been caused among American sports- 

 men hunting in Canada, because ducks cannot be brought into the 

 United States unless "picked." 



Nov. 7. — The New York Zoological Society shipped fourteen American 

 bison to the Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, as a gift to 

 the Government for the nucleus of the new national bison herd to 

 be established at that place. This herd was established through the 

 efforts of the late Prof. Franklin W. Hooper, then president of the 

 American Bison Societv. 



