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[[newspaper clipping]] FARMERS MUST GET RID OF DUCKS TO SAVE THEIR RICE ^[[8/10/18 B]] SACRAMENTANS returning from trips along the west side of the river, as well as the farmers in that vicinity and up the valley on both banks wherever rice is planted, report that wild ducks are swarming over the fields and that within three or four weeks the grain will be at a stage of ripeness when it will be most in danger from the fowl. However the wanderlust may affect this horde of game birds, there will be no inducement in the ornithological world sufficient to allure them from the banquet that Nature and the energy of the farmer has spread on those fertile reaches. [[line]] Here is one case where direct action is just the thing. If the ranchers want a rice crop they will have to get rid of the ducks. If the people want plenty of cheap food, they will have to encourage the farmer. And if the Government wants the ultimate maximum of rice production as a war aid, it will have to back up The People, by connivance at least, if not by open approval. [[line]] Alexander Wetmore has been delegated by the Department of Agriculture to come to California and see for himself what a menace the myriads of wild ducks are. This followed a visit by Congressman Lea who saw the need of remedies. But Wetmore should avoid being taken on a personally conducted tour of the rice region by any members or member of the State Fish and Game Commission. They are too optimistic about the matter. Wetmore should conduct a thorough and independent investigation on his own hook, and make his recommendations to the Government accordingly. In the meantime there is one vital obligation upon the rice farmer and that is to save his crop, even at the expense of the sacred mallard, the holy widgeon, the consecrated teal, the protected canvas-back, and all the others of the inviolate breed.