296 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
misled by somebody. It was a distinct understanding that those elk 
would be turned loose on the public domain. It is another example 
of starting in and not knowing where it is going to end. In this case 
it is absolutely provoking, and Mr. Henry will bear me out when [ 
say that we would not have agreed to it in conference except for the 
distinct and positive statement that that was all there was to it. These 
elk were given, and it seemed impolite not to accept them, and all 
that; but to go there and transport them, and take care of them for- 
ever, is not right. Turn them loose on a Government reservation and 
let them go, if they can not take care of themselves. They will take 
care of themselves all right if we can give them an area large enough 
to afford them food. If they can not do that they are of no use to us 
from a practical point of view. - 
Mr. Scorr. I understand you to say, then, that the $1,000 appro- 
priated last year was intended simply to pay the cost of transportation? 
The CHarrman. That was what I understood. 
Mr. Hexry. That was the representation at the conference. 
Mr. Scorr. They did not say anything about building the fence? 
Mr. Merriam. Yes; that is in the bill; that is the way it reads in 
the last bill. 
The Cuarrman. Yes; for the winter months, until they could be 
transported. I think Mr. Henry will bear me out. He was in the 
conference. 
Mr. Burteson. What was done with the thousand dollars that was 
appropriated last year? 
Mr. Merriam. Not a cent of it has been used. 
Mr. Scorr. Are you paying the man that is making this survey 
out of that fund? 
Mr. Merriam. Notatall. Weare paying him out of the Biological 
Survey appropriation, so that this fund could be used entirely for 
fencing, if a large enough area can be fenced to really afford them the 
necessary food. 
Mr. Scorr. As I understand you, then, the only expense involved 
in this matter will be the expense of transportation and the cost of 
a fence, with what little feed may be needed from year to year. 
Mr. Merriam. Yes; that is the only expense. 
The Cuairman. Then there is the maintenance of your fence here- 
after. : 
Mr. Merriam. That is, of course, a very small matter. If the forest 
rangers will look after that it is a trivial matter. I do not suppose it 
will be over $10 a year. 
The Cuarrman. The posts only last a certain number of years, any- 
way, and then you will have to have new posts? 
Mr. Merriam. That country is a dry country, and posts last a long 
time—blue oak or cedar—either. 
The Cuarrman. They do not last forever? 
Mr. Merriam. They do not last forever, exactly. 
Mr. Brooks. If the Department of Agriculture takes over the 
Department of Forestry will they not be charged with the duty of 
game wardenship? 
Mr. Merriam. In part; in places. 
Mr. Brooks. The trouble is the forest ranger has not the power of 
arrest. 
Mr. Merriam. Yes, he lacks the power. 
