The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-06
THE FISHING INDUSTRY.
The Portland kxehange Will Cooperate
with Gloucester in securing Prstectien
20 the Fishermen.

At the convention of American Fishing
Interests, held in Gloucester last December, o
permanent organization was effected and q
committee Of seven was appointed to take ac-
ton on any matters which might arise AFFECT
ing the fishing interests. Four members Of
the committee are to be from Massachusetts,
and three from Maine. The Maine members
are Messrs. o. B. Whitten and George Tre-
fethen Of Portland and Mr.. Smith OF North
Haven. Last Wednesday upon notice FROM
the chairman, the committee held 3 meeting
In the Parker House at Boston to discuss What
measures 1t will be necessary to take in view
OF the approaching termination of the present
reciprocity treaty between this sountry and
Canada. The meeting was we'll attended.
Among those present were Hon. Charles L.
Woodbury. Of Boston, Hon. Robert T. Davis Of
Fall River, Hon. Richard 8. Spofford OF New.
buryport and Charles P. Thompson of Glouc-
ester. Mr.. o. B. Whitten represented Maine
in the committee. After . fnll survey OF the
situation, it was voted to proceed by prspsr ing
memorial to the government and sending
delegates to lay the matter before tho Prssi-
dent and Secretary Of State.
The feeling among the fishermen is agains4
the continuance of the present treaty; they
think that they should be protected against the
importation Of Canadian fish and that the
government should take steps to see thAs
Americans fishing outside the three-mils line
are not interfered with.
A largely attended meeting OF the Portland
Fishing Exchange was held at their offices on
Commercial street yesterday afternoon As 8
O'Clock, to take action in regard to sending Q
delegate to Washington, and TO listen to the
remarks of Hon. Thomas B. Reed, who had
been invited to be present, and to hear the
report of MIR. o. B. Whitten, of the COMMITTEES.
The meeting was called to order by Ne.
George Trefethen, president Of the Exchange.
Mr.. Reeds remarks commanded close atten-
ton. He said he had come on an invitation
which had just been given him for the pur.
pose of learning what facts he could by the aid
of which he might do his duty In furthering
their interests. AS to the renewal OF the
reciprocity treaty, he said he had occasion to
visit the State Department last winter and
was there assured that no American interest
whatever was moving for the renewal. In his
judgment there was not the least fear OF that
to be entertained. Whatever views any one
might entertain on protection everybody
would agree that all kinds Of American indus
tries should have the American market IL any
Of them did. He thought the course Of the asso-
citation q wise one in the proposal to lay before
the President and Secretary of State the an
noyauces formerly practiced under the treaty
OF 1918 for even II but little could be done
now the attention of the government would be
directed to the subject, and with the watch
ful care of the association to inform the gov
erDment of every Objectionable case the most
OF the evils anticipated might be prevented.
Mr.. Reed expressed his readiness to cooper.
rte with Judge Woodbury., Mr.. Spofford, Con-
| gresham Davis and other Massachusetts, men
| in any efforts which this association might APP
prove of.
Mr.. Whitten reported for the committee,
stating what was performed at the meeting at
| the Parker House. Gloucester has resolved to
| send delegates to Washington and has asked
| the cooperation OF Portland.
Remarks were made by President Trstethsn
| and others, endorsing the course taken by the
| committee. and it was voted TO notify Glouces-
| ter OF the cooperation of Portland.
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr.. Reed for
| his valuable remarks and there being no
| further business the meeting adjourned.