The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
COMMISSIONERS ON FISHERIES AND GAME 
321 STATE HOUSE 
Boston, Jan. 6, 1919 
WILLIAM C. ADAMS GEORGE H. GRAHAM address all communications to the commission 
ARTHUR L. MiLLETT 
. William Brewster, Esq., 
145 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass. 
Dear Mr. Brewster: 
The United States Biological Survey is beginning to receive 
applications for federal permits under the Enabling Act. We have 
perfected a working agreement with the Survey by which they forward 
to us these applications for our approval before they are finally 
acted upon by the Survey. 
We notice that on one or more occasions you appear as an 
endorser on these applications. 
Realizing that owing to your prominence in the scientific 
field you may be importuned on many occasions to sign such petitions, 
we take the liberty of mentioning to you the attitude of our board on 
this whole matter. During the cast few years we have endeavored to 
limit the issuance of state permits to take birds and eggs for 
scientific purposes to those people only who are collecting for 
recognized museums or whose work will appear in permanent form 
in the shape of contributions to science. We understand that this 
policy has the hearty approval of the recognized experts in the 
field. We are writing to you thinking that this may be of some 
assistance to you in determining whether or not you should endorse 
certain applications. We have no particular case in mind at this time. 
The permits of the Biological Survey cannot become operative 
in this state until the holder of the same has also received one of 
our state permits to take birds and eggs for scientific purposes, 
and the Survey and the Board are working together in order to bring 
about the greatest degree of harmony and effective work. 
Our board is in full sympathy with efforts to advance the 
jause of science in fields over which it has, jurisdiction, and if 
there are any ways in which you think wepzan enlarge our sphere 
suggestions from you. 
usefulness we will always be glad to ha. 
Very truly 
of 
WCA/BB 
Chairman 
