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W.H.R. #3.

The Bureau is of the opinion that no great amount of difficulty will be encountered in seeing that the authority conferred by these permits is properly observed, provided, due care is exercised in issuing permits in the first instance, and making it fully known what can and what cannot be done under the permits.

You have been sent to California for the purpose of thoroughly investigating conditions in the rice belt, supervising the issuance of these permits and seeing that the law is properly observed.  You should exercise extra caution not to antagonise the rice growers with whom the Bureau is now maintaining friendly relations but it must be distinctly understood that these permits are to be issued only when absolutely necessary to kill the ducks to prevent injury to the rice crop and that no ducks can be killed unless absolutely necessary.to carry out the purpose and intent of the permits, and in any event, permits can be issued only to rice growers, members of their immediate families or bona fide employees.  By bona fide employees, we mean persons that are employed under good intentions to actually work for the rice growers in the cultivation and harvesting of the rice crop at the prevailing rate of wages.  Prompt and vigorous action should be taken against any and all persons found violating the law or abusing the privileges conferred by the permits.  You should keep the Bureau fully advised by telegraph, if necessary, in regard to conditions.  If additional help is needed to properly patrol the rice belt, we shall be glad to consider the appointment of an additional number of state game wardens as U. S. Deputy Game Wardens to be paid a perdiem of $3.50 and traveling expenses.

We may add in confidence, that politics is considerably mixed in affairs in California and you will have to keep your eyes and ears open to avoid falling into any pit-falls.  Be extremely careful to what you say and do in order to avoid stirring up any unnecessary strife.  Whenever in doubt, wire the Bureau fully in regard to the facts and await instructions.

Very truly yours,
[[signature]] G.A.L [[/signature]]
Chief U. S. Game Warden.

Inclosure - 13077.
GAL: ECH
P.  It is claimed that the ducks cannot do any damage to the rice at this time of year because it has not sufficiently ripened.  You should take particular pains to observe the condition of the rice crop and learn with some degree of definiteness as to just what time of year the rice is susceptible of being damaged by the depredations of the ducks.

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