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RICE GROWERS TO OPEN DRIVE TO RID VALLEY OF DUCK PESTS

^[[S.F. Chronicle 9/7/18.]]

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Farmhouses Will Serve as Arsenals; Sharpshooters to Be Hired to Do Wholesale Killing

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CHICO, September 7.—Working through the food administration and Secretary Franklin K. Lane, for the right to protect their crops from the inroads of game, rice growers of the Sacramento valley are not stinting themselves to bring the wild duck issue before the Federal authorities.

Following a meeting of 100 prominent rice growers of Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Butte counties, a plan of campaign was outlined whereby every farmhouse in the rice fields will serve as an arsenal during the next three months and duck shooters will be hired at $4 per day to protect the rice crops by killing wild ducks by the thousands.

That the rice growers are relying on the Federal Government for support in their new programme was evident from a series of questions asked by W. D'Egilbert, representing the food administration. D'Egilbert asked Dr. A. J. Wetmore of the biological survey if the Federal Government could be depended upon for immediate support and relief if the findings of the Government were that the duck was doing extensive damage to the crops.

Wetmore answered by saying that he could not promise no relief, that he would report to his superior officer on September 10 in Sacramento, and the question would then be put out of his hands.

Wetmore expressed the belief that the rice men were entitled to protect their crops from the inroads of wild ducks and upon this assertion the growers are now using rockets, bombs and shotguns to drive off the invaders.

The rice growers have appointed a committee to reach the food administration and Secretary Lane, and to place before them the facts concerning duck depredations. The committee follows: Joseph L. Stevens of Sacramento, H. O. Jacobson of Chico, C. L. Donohue of Willows, W. Drubrew, Glenn county food administrator, and W. D'Egilbert of San Francisco.

The committee plans to request the Federal Government to alter the game laws to permit rice growers to shoot and dispose of ducks on their own land before the State duck season opens.

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