Stream Pollution 77 



the significance of changes that are taking place; they should be 

 taught to appreciate and in turn to make their scholars understand 

 the difference between those changes which are essential results of 

 increasing population and of subjecting the earth to the profitable 

 uses of mankind and such as are due to the carelessness or greed 

 of individual citizens or limited groups. Especial attention should 

 be paid to the organization of this work in the school system, so 

 that it may be as widely and effectively introduced as possible. The 

 effect of such propaganda cannot be overestimated. After a few 

 years* work the number of persons thus trained to appreciate the 

 significance of our aquatic resources will be great enough to consti- 

 tute an irresistible force in favor of right legislation and of proper 

 enforcement of existing laws. The study of bird life in our schools 

 has done much to protect the birds and influence proper legislation 

 as well as to make men appreciate the value and beauty of these 

 members of our fauna. The same sort of work with aquatic animals 

 will give irresistible support to conservation measures affecting the 

 aquatic organisms. 



State extension work, influences of libraries of all kinds, and all 

 scientific organizations, like the local game protection associations 

 and such general bodies as the Agassiz Association among school 

 children, should be actively enlisted in behalf of this work, which 

 will appeal to them and which will be greatly advantaged by their 

 assistance. Of course, as forestry workers and associations are 

 directly interested in this problem, they should be utilized to spread 

 information of the proper type. The influence of public lectures and 

 moving-pictures should not be forgotten. If the Commission were 

 to prepare and have shown throughout the state, with appropriate 

 comment, a film illustrating the value of our aquatic resources and 

 showing infringement on them at various points, many would be 

 brought to think of the problem and to lend their influence for its 

 proper solution who would not otherwise come in contact with the 

 question at all. 



National Vigor and Food Supply 



I cannot close this report without calling attention again and in 

 emphatic manner to the far-reaching importance of the question of 

 stream pollution. We became aware during war times of the sig- 

 nificance of food and the seriousness of all influences which reduce 

 its quality and quantity, as well as the great importance of measures 

 for increasing the sources of the food supply. It must not be for- 

 gotten that the question is more than a problem of war times. It 



