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STATE FOOD CHIEF APPEALS TO HOOVER TO AID GROWERS

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Rice Duck Situation Threatening Destruction to Thousands of Acres of Product

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WILLOWS, September 28.—Prohibited by State and Federal game laws from killing the ducks which are threatening to destroy hundreds of acres of rice, the growers have petitioned State Food Administrator Ralph P. Merritt for help. He in turn has telegraphed Federal Food Administrator Herbert Hoover recommending that the growers, as a food conservation measure, be permitted to shoot ducks if necessary to protect the crops and use them for food. To do either before the opening of the season, October 16, is a violation of the Federal game agreement with Canada.

The State Fish and Game Commission has a game expert here studying the situation, while the Federal Government has sent A. Wetmore, a biologist, and a deputy game warden, E. S. Cattron, into the fields to observe the damage done by the birds during the harvest. The growers are threatening to kill the ducks in order to protect their crop, even at the risk of arrest by Federal authorities.

Although no statement has yet been made by Warden Cattron as to his instructions, it is generally understood that the growers will not be interfered with so long as they shoot the ducks only when necessary to protect the rice. The accusation has been made that the hunters and those opposed to game laws are taking advantage of the rice situation to hunt before the season opens, and it is with any such that the Government is expected to deal summarily.

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