ARE ee UU BaOeNe Bb Ws Lele het tN 29 
Kerner admitted that the groups interested in securing nature preserves 
had removed all of the main objections to the earlier SB 465 (which he had 
vetoed in 1961), except for the creation of the independent Commission, 
a feature which had been retained in this year’s bills. 
He explained his veto in these words: “It seems to me that the creation, 
as well as the operation, of a nature preserves system is clearly within 
the competence of the Department of Conservation, and I have every rea- 
son to believe the officers of that Department are interested in bringing 
about such a program. In fact, on its own volition, the Department has 
already formulated plans to acquire and dedicate two nature preserves.” 
HB 1538 and 1539, which the governor signed into law, contain many 
of the provisions of the bills we preferred; however, the basic powers of 
control will remain in the Department of Conservation, which is still 
required to abide by the advice of the independent Commission. Of the 
bills he signed, Governor Kerner said: “While I believe that there are 
some problems to be worked out before they can become as effective as 
they might be, they are in such condition that they will enable us to em- 
bark upon the program of creating nature preserves in Illinois.” 
SB 576 — Cigarette Use Tax Act — and its companion bills, SB 574 and 
577 — were vetoed by the governor on the grounds that last April he had 
promised the people of the state that he would neither seek nor approve 
any new general taxes. He added, however, that he had already signed 
the State Parks Revenue Bond Act, which would permit the expenditure 
of $9 million for the construction and improvement of recreational fiacili- 
ties of State Parks. These expenditures are to be financed by revenue 
bonds supported by user fees. Governor Kerner also signed bills that in- 
crease the purposes and resources of the State Boating Act Fund; these 
funds will also be made available on a continuing basis for the development 
of outdoor recreational facilities. 
37 Nottingham Avenue, Springfield, III. 
fi fl 2 aD 
BOOK REVIEW 
THE DUNESLAND HERITAGE OF ILLINOIS. By Herbert H. Ross, Illinois 
Nat.eiist=ourvey Circulan No, 49; pp. 1-28, figs: 1-16. 1963. Free. 
This excellent factual publication, which reads like a narrative, 
should serve as a stimulus to those supporting the Illinois Dunesland 
Preservation Society. 
Dr. Ross has done a splendid job of relating the history of the Dunes, 
both past and present. The contents include twelve sections, well repre- 
sented with excellent figures: Learning about the Past; The Calendar of 
Life; Landscapes of the Dunesland; Recolonization after the Glaciers; Spread 
of Temperate Deciduous Life; Extinct Life; The Dunesland as a Heritage; 
Scientific Equivalents of Common Names Cited, and Useful References. 
The general reader will be astonished to learn how many relict and 
endemic species of plants and animals are present in such a small area 
as the Illinois Dunes. I’m certain that this informative publication will 
stimulate a greater appreciation of nature, and possibly will induce the 
public to appreciate the beauty of our landscape. 
Harlan D. Walley, 717 N. Elm St., Sandwich, Illinois 
