Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1915 — MIGRATORY BIRD LAW REMAINS EFFECTIVE [ARTICLE]

MIGRATORY BIRD LAW REMAINS EFFECTIVE

Department Will Continue to Prosecute Illegal Killing of Birds. The following letter was received by The Review April 22 from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Every hunter should read this official statement: Many of the press comments on the decision of the U. S. district court, rendered March 20, at Topeka, Kans., holding that the federal migratory bird law is unconstitutional, in the opinion of the department, are erroneous and are apt to mislead the public concern : ng 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 01 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 the 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 to enforce this law, and the officials in charge will endeavor to do so as long as it is in force. 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 than an offender against this, as in the case of other U. S. laws, is subject to prosecution £ny time wit hin three years from the date the offense is committed.