12 THE AU D UB*OUN? (BU. ie re 
Promoters of a project which would benefit them but no one else, bring 
pressure on congressmen from their state to get a bill through Congress 
which would involve spending millions of dollars. The congressmen wish to 
keep their jobs, naturally, and they know that the promoters can influence 
a lot of unthinking people at election time. To get the bill passed, they must 
have the support of many congressmen from other states, and their votes 
are obtained only because they also have promoters back home who can 
cause trouble if their projects are not supported. Similar conditions exist 
in state legislatures. 
In addition to the pressure brought by the promoters, we have the activity 
of such federal divisions as the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of 
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors. Both have large staffs which they wish 
to maintain, and both work with the promoters. They have powerful lobbies 
not only in Washington, but throughout the country, and get support from 
Chambers of Commerce, contractors, labor unions, and even from farmers 
in recent years. This combined activity is responsible for unwise drainage 
of marsh lands, costly dams that are not justified, and elaborate systems 
of levees. Conservationists have stopped some of the schemes proposed, but 
we need more interest and action by the public. 
The hunters are organized, and they have great influence on some legisla- 
tion. Much support has come from sportsmen for conservation because they 
realize that to have hunting and fishing, they must not exterminate wildlife, 
and also because some of their more enlightened leaders are really inter- 
ested in conservation. However, there is much violation of laws for the 
protection of wildlife by hunters, and there is difficulty in getting enforce- 
ment of such laws as the migratory birds act. Such conditions could not 
exist if we all had more interest in conservation. 
5716 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago 
ft ft ft 
BuRNS DITCH HARBOR PROPOSAL. There is little to report on this subject ex- 
cept that a brochure was completed in July which gives information on the 
proposal and on the need for action. Persons desiring this brochure should 
communicate with Mr. E. M. Kratz, Box 801, Ogden Dunes, Gary, Indiana. 
Mrs. ‘Dorothy R. Buell of Ogden Dunes has started organizing the women 
of Indiana in support of our effort to save the remaining unoccupied Indiana 
dunes. We need people who will act as leaders and they are invited to com- 
municate with Mrs. Buell or myself. 
ft ff ff 
New Officers for 1952—53 
THREE NOTEWORTHY CHANGES were made in the list of officers of the 
Illinois Audubon Society for the coming year. Mrs. Anne Douglas Bayless 
was elected Secretary, replacing Mrs. Janet Zimmerman, who is planning 
to leave soon on an extended tour of Europe. She has worked earnestly 
for the Society for many years, and deserves our deepest thanks. Mrs. 
Zimmerman will continue as one of the Board of Directors. 
