THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN SPORTSMEN 



491 



quails came to them contrary to the laws 

 of other states, but where a money ques- 

 tion is involved a game dealer's conscience 

 is easily allayed. 



A gentleman who attended the hearing 

 from Worcester called on me the other day 

 and was much disappointed at the result. 

 He had felt that we had the committee with 

 us the day he was there, but was sadly mis- 

 taken. I tried to impress on him the neces- 

 sity of joining the L. A. S. and he said 

 he would. He said there should be 100 

 members in Worcester. There were others 

 from Worcester, members of the Worcester 

 County Game Protective Association, pres- 

 ent at the hearings and I urged all to join 

 the L. A. S. to the end that we might have 

 an organization in this state powerful 

 enough to enforce our demands. This 

 we must have if we are to ever make head- 

 way against the money interest in Boston. 



If every sportsman in this State — yes if 

 half of them would join the League and 

 work with us we would have a power next 

 winter which would sweep these game deal- 

 ers out of business and purge this Com- 

 monwealth of the reproach of being an ac- 

 complice in the handling of stolen goods. 

 I hope, therefore, you will push the work 

 in Massachusetts. " Herman S. Fay. 



It would be well for all league members 

 in Massachusetts, and, for that matter, all 

 sportsmen to mark the foregoing and file 

 it for future reference. Then when these 

 gentlemen present themselves again for the 

 suffrage of the people they should be 

 promptly voted down. It is a burning 

 shame that a public servant should so flag- 

 rantly violate the trust committed to him as 

 Messrs. Mills, Mackay and Swift have done. 

 Their avowed hostility to the cause of game 

 protection, their deep interest in the wel- 

 fare of the game dealers, and their willing- 

 ness to encourage the violation of the laws 

 of sister States is exceedingly suspicious, 

 to say the least. 



It is earnestly hoped that the Massachu- 

 setts Division of the League will be strong 

 enough by the time these men ask for re- 

 election to snow them under completely. 

 It is also earnestly hoped that the League 

 may be strong enough by the time the next 

 session of the legislature convenes to com- 

 pel enactment of a law prohibiting the 3ale 

 of game at all times. The trend of the best 

 public sentiment is in this direction. It is 

 safe to say a dozen State legislatures will 

 adopt such laws within the next 2 years and 

 Massachusetts should be one of the first. 



The open market in Boston is the most 

 serious obstacle that the sportsmen of the 

 Western States have to contend with. Quails 

 and prairie chickens are shipped from there, 

 from Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas 

 Iowa and Nebraska in large numbers to ap- 

 pease the greed of these Boston game hogs. 



Water fowl and bay birds center there from 

 all parts of the Atlantic coast, in open 

 violation of the laws of the States where 

 the birds are killed. 



Will not the friends of game protection 

 in Massachusetts stir themselves and let us 

 enroll a membership during the present 

 year that will fairly muzzle these insatiate 

 Boston game dealers? 



ANOTHER REMINDER. 



Prof. M. J. Elrod, Chief Warden of the 

 Montana Division, sends out this letter: 

 Missoula, Mont., April 22, 1899. 



Gentlemen: — As you no doubt know, 

 the same game and fish laws are in force as 

 have been for 2 years past. This leaves 

 the county commissioners to appoint war- 

 dens for the counties. This they must do 

 on petition of 100 taxpayers, though the 

 office of warden may be declared vacant . 

 temporarily, if his services are not deemed 

 necessary. The question of economy is not 

 mentioned or implied. In several counties 

 petitions have already been prepared and 

 presented, members of the League all over 

 the State should use their influence to have 

 petitions circulated, and to press the com- 

 missioners for the appointment of wardens. 

 There is not a county in the State where a 

 warden is not needed. 



Mr. Sidney M. Logan, of Kalispel, has 

 been appointed vice-warden of the League. 

 Mr. Logan has done great service for the 

 League, and is deserving of this honor. 

 Mr. R. A. Waagner, of Bozeman, a loyal 

 member of the League, has been appointed 

 State Game and Fish Warden, by the State 

 Board of Game and Fish Commissioners. 



His excellency, the Governor, has ap- 

 pointed me a member of -the State Board of 

 Game and Fish Commissioners. The board 

 has chosen me as chairman, and executive 

 officer. Last year I was notified of several 

 violations of law, with evidence to convict, 

 but was helpless, and there was neither 

 county or state officer. It will be so no 

 longer. Hereafter when such cases are re- 

 ported the State Warden will be sent to in- 

 vestigate. I ask all members to keep me 

 posted in regard to violations, and shall al- 

 ways have the address of the State Warden. 



Our membership has materially in- 

 r-eased. We have already accomplished 

 much. Let us press on and make the law- 

 breakers sweat. Kalispel members have 

 secured 2 convictions, Missoula men have 

 a man bound over to appear before the dis- 

 trict court. What have you done? 



M. J. Elrod, Chief Warden. 



MORE PROMINENT MEN COMING IN. 



I sent out a letter to general passenger 

 agents inviting them to join the League 

 and the following have done so: 



