THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



STATE CONVENTION OF SPORTSMEN. 



By H. B. Van Duzer, 



President Multnomah Anglers' Club. 



It was originally planned to hold this convention to organize a state 

 association on January 16th, but from letters received from various sports- 

 men's organizations throughout the state, it was thought more time was 

 needed in making the necessary preparations incidental to such a gathering. 



In response to repeated urging on the part of representative sportsmen' 

 in all parts of the state, it has been decided to issue a call for the state 

 convention to be held at Portland on Monday, March 16th, in the Convention 

 Hall of the Commercial Club. Throughout the state there are about sixty 

 clubs that are entitled to affiliate in this proposed state convention. The 

 need of such an organization is apparent, and the hearty co-operation of all 

 clubs is solicited. 



The prime motive of such an organization is the betterment of condi- 

 tions affecting the protection and propagation of game and fish in the 

 state. There are many matters along these lines that properly come under 

 the jurisdiction of such an organization. 



In a state as large as Oregon, with the climatic and other conditions 

 so varied, and with the desires of the sportsmen of some localities appar- 

 ently diametrically opposed to those of others, the value of a "clearing 

 house," where differences can be settled among themselves and not be used 

 as weapons by those opposed to game legislation or regulation, must be 

 patent to all who have given the matter any attention. 



It is not the purpose of the Multnomah County sportsmen to attempt 

 by force of numbers to control the organization. The tentative plan gives 

 each club represented one vote in the convention regardless of the numer- 

 ical strength of the club or of the number of delegates present representing 

 each club. It is urged that as many delegates as possible be sent from each 

 club with this understanding. 



As a method of organization, it is suggested that outside of the gen- 

 eral officers of the organization, the Executive Committee be composed 

 of members representing the different sections of the state, the same to be 

 elected by the clubs of those sections present at the convention. In other 

 words, the Executive Committeeman from northeastern Oregon will be 

 selected by the club from that section. Inasmuch as the Executive Com- 

 mittee will be continually "on the job," this method will, in our minds, 

 insure the proper recognition of the needs and desires of each section. 



These suggestions are made for the consideration of the sportsmen of 

 the state, and it is hoped they will respond in goodly numbers and make the 

 proposed organization a success from the start. 



Faff* fifteen 



