WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1909

try having produced an income of approximately $1, 000, 000.
per year to the citizens of Dorchester County; and

WHEREAS,, in the past few years there has been an alarm-
ing decrease of muskrats in Dorchester County which is a
serious threat to the economy of Dorchester County and the
entire State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS,, it is apparent that this decrease is not due to
normal and natural causes, but appears to be due to either
predatory animals or disease or other such causes, which,
if known, can be controlled and checked; and

WHEREAS, no thorough and scientific study has been made
of this problem, now therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
Game and Inland Fish Commission of the State Board of
Natural Resources, be and it is hereby directed to make a
thorough and scientific study of the causes of death and de-
struction of muskrats in Maryland and more particularly
in Dorchester County, and in connection therewith the said
Commission is further directed to utilize the services of the
Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States of America
and any other appropriate public or private agencies; and
be it further

Resolved, That, if necessary, the Governor of Maryland be
and he is hereby requested to include any necessary sum
of money in his Supplemental Budget for such study and
survey; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby
directed to send a copy of this Resolution, under the Great
Seal of the State of Maryland, to the Director of the Game
and Inland Fish Commission.

Approved April 22, 1949.

NO. 18

(House Joint Resolution 9)

Joint Resolution expressing thanks and appreciation to the
people of France for the French Merci Train.

WHEREAS,, the people of France recently sent to the United
States a large number of gifts, some of which are rare and