4 T HE} A,U-DU BLO N° = B UL hai 
of a congressional investigation. Mr. Drury is said to have been reticent 
and dignified throughout the entire storm, and he has returned to his be- 
loved California. Without his knowledge, the situation was taken to Presi- 
dent Truman, who was obdurate. 
According to an editorial in the April number of Nature Magazine, it 
appears that “the policy of the Department of the Interior is weighted on 
the side of exploitation and development.” This affair and some other in- 
cidents are responsible for the feeling of pessimism that pervaded the North 
American Wildlife Conference in Milwaukee, March 5-7. I talked with a 
number of conservationists on this subject, including several from Wash- 
ington. No explanation by the Secretary of the Interior for this resigna- 
tion has come to my attention. 
f fi fi 
Cement plant threatens waterfowl refuge. The great Sabine Lake 
Waterfowl Refuge in Louisiana is threatened by efforts of a cement com- 
pany to get a permit to remove a large oyster shell deposit on the north 
central edge of this area. This refuge has 142,749 acres within its boun- 
daries, and is the largest winter refuge in the south for waterfowl. It is 
used by a million or more ducks and geese each year. 
The oyster shell deposit covers about 2500 acres along the shore of Cal- 
casieu Lake, and varies in depth from about 50 to 70 feet. It is 10 to 20 
feet under the ground. Some of the refuges were bought subject to mineral 
and oil rights. An oil company exploring this refuge found no oil, but did 
discover the oyster shell deposit. It is estimated that there are about a 
hundred million cubic yards of shell. Several attempts have been made 
during the past three or four years to obtain leases for digging. The Fish 
and Wildlife Service has not accepted any of these offers, because to dig a 
hole 70 to 90 feet deep, and 2500 acres in extent, would not only ruin the 
wintering ground for ducks and geese, but would destroy the muskrat 
population which produces from $50,000 to $100,000 in fur annually. An ap- 
plication made about a year ago was denied by Secretary of the Interior 
Chapman, and it was thought this was the end of such applications. How- 
ever, one especially aggressive Baltimore company has claimed that it needs 
these shells to make soda ash for a war contract with an aluminum com- 
pany. A resurvey was consequently authorized. The results of this survey 
are not known as yet. 
“Each One, Teach One’ 
The Mexican government virtually ended illiteracy in that country by 
requiring every literate person to teach at least one uneducated person to 
read and write during the year. Similarly, every member of the Society 
has an opportunity to spread the knowledge of birds and conservation this 
spring. Now is the time — at the height of the migration season, when 
bird study is keenest. Take a copy of the Audubon Bulletin with you on 
bird walks; show it to your friends when you pause to check your field 
cards. The Society needs new members; current dues are barely enough to 
meet printing expenses. If you sincerely believe in bird protection, do the 
least you can — pines in one new member. To help the Society continue its 
significant work, “each one must teach one.” 
