Letter from Charles Sheldon to Dr. George Bird Grinnell
Charles Sheldon 3102 Cue Street N.
si ington, D. C.
far 26—1920 (fi* 7h •)
Dear . r. Gri.nnell
Since writing you this morning on the Alaska bear Question I h^ve received yours of Larch 25th
Kelson has to be very careful in his handling of the matter and it 186 for the Dept, to know that he has been ffi&klng use or the Solicito ’s letters—I assume that Nelson sent you a copy of the letter—
Personally I do not think that the Solicitor understands clearly the case—He seems to ta e the ground that the term "bear" was defined as game in the 1 03 law, and that since this term was changed to "brown bear" on the 1908 law, it demonstrates that grizzlies were expressly (!) excluded from the law—But he falls to understand that the term "bDown" was specially used to exclude the black be^rs from the law—I have today as ed Nelson to see the Solicitor^ and discuss this matt r with him—He will do so. The fact is that except for Kelso* , the Dept, of Agriculture under the Influence of Secy. Houston dont li e the Aleskp bear and therefore the Solicitor does not take the matter ve y ser' ously—Ne i son thinks that he does.
I have recognized this situation for a long time and have often written you eoout it—And that is the reason why, when I first knew that this suit was to be orought, I wrote both you & Grant that some organized pressure should at once oe rou^ht on the Dept, of Agriculture to let it know that the public was interested so that it would not view the matter indifferently —Of course legally the Solicitor may be right— I am now Informed that the Dept, of Justice will not defend the suit unless lnst(teted to do so by the Dent of Agriculture—Thet is the invaria ;fe custom hfre—I can see no objection to bringing all pressure Boone and Crockett Club Records (Mss 738), Archives and Special Collections. Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. University of Montana-Missoula.
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i a r 26--1920
possible on the Dept, of Agriculture--better by a personal delegation— Unless it is done quickly there may not be time to get a brief up to Alaska before the suit will come into court—
I feel that I have done all I could and have kept New York actively informed without delays of all details of this matter as I have learned of them--
Sincy yrs
C. Sheldon
Boone and Crockett Club Records (Mss 738), Archives and Special Collections. Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. University of Montana-Missoula.
