Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1915 — LAW IS EFFECTIVE; HUNTERS WARNED [ARTICLE]

LAW IS EFFECTIVE; HUNTERS WARNED

Ruling of Kansas Court May Mislead Public—Effective Only in District Where It Is Rendered. Washington, March 31.—Many of the press comments on the decision of the U. S. district court, rendered March 20, at Topeka, Kas., holding that the federal migratory bird law is unconstitutional, according to the U. S. department of agriculture, are erroneous and are apt to mislead the public concerning the real situation in this matter. ? The Kansas decision, like a former decision to the same effect in the eastern district of Arkansas, is limited in its operation solely to the district in which it was rendered. Neither decision settles 6r nullifies the law, and the exact contrary has been held by the U. S. district court for’ South Dakota The Arkansas case has been appealed to, and is now pending in the U. S. supreme court. The act of congress protecting migratory birds stands effective until the supreme court finally decides the question of its constitutionality. In the ‘meantime, it is incumbent on every law-abiding citizen to observe its provisions and the regulations. It is the duty of the department of agriculture to enforce this law and the officials in charge will endeavor to do so as long as it is in fdrce. Reports of violations will be carefully investigated and when sufficient evidence is secured they will be reported for prosecution. In this connection it should not be forgotten that an offender against this, as in the case of other U. S. laws, is subject to prosecution any time within three years from the date the offense is committed.