Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-23
Recommendations Made to the Fish
Commission by Warden Hague
in His Annual Report.
HUNDREDS OF MILES TRAVERSED,
And Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of APP
pliances Destroyed to Check
Illegal Fishing. ~
wILFUL VIOLATIONS DECREASING
Nj. Hague congratulates Himself Upon Having the Fish
ing Clubs at His Back

Fish Warden Hague has submitted his
annual report to the Fish Commission, con-
| tanning full account OF his official acts
during the past year. 1t has been busy
one for him. and his work has resulted in
the suppression of large number of viola
tions of the game and fish laws. he travelled
hundreds of miles during the year and con-
fiscated and destroyed thousands of dollars
worth of paraphernalla. 81
Mr. Hague made informaticns against
nine persons for having game illegally in
their possession, and upon trial all were
convicted. Among these was the celebrated
Wilkinson case. William Wilkinson was
prosecuted on the ground that the sale OF
game is illegal between January 1 and
October Is. The case went through the
courts, and, according to Judge Ewing's
decision, it is unlawful to possess or offer
for sale in Pennsylvania any game during
the time prohibited by law, regardless of
where it may have been killed.
VERY BROAD DECISION.
The decision is so bread that il game had
been killed in California and kept two years
on ice it would still be a violation of the
game laws to expose it Tor sale in Pennsyl-
vania outside of the time such sale is legal
ized fst ..a.
Mr.. Hague also prosecuted eight other
men, who have not vet been arrested, but
for whom the warrants are still out Ten
men were arrested for a violation of the fish
laws. Mr.. Hague captured, coniscated
and destroyed $4,000 worth of illegal
appliances, such as nets; seines. lines
baskets, etc., used by the visitors The
longest trip made during the year was the
one made in July, when he went to Nor
gantown, w. Va, and came down the Mo-
nongahela river in skiff and visited over
30 hshing camps. Among other trips made
was one up the Allegheny to Freeport and
five miles up Buffalo creek; to Mahoning-
town. in Lawrence county, and ten miles
up Raccoon creek. Many other trips were
made, and some of them were made several
times. The repetitions we're necessary to
locate seines, nets and other appliances, the
use of which had been discontinued whel
the people herd of the Warden's coming.
OTHER PLACES TO BE VISITED.
There are still points along the ALE
gheny, above Freeport, where there is lille
gal fishing in progress, that Mr.. Hague will
look after at the proper time. He has been
at considerable disadvantage for want of trans
portation. Often, when he pursues violators to
the river, he must either stop his chase or take
to the water like duck. This latter means is
not an easy way in which to capture man. Mr..
Hague expects to be provided with a canvas
canoe next season. by the use of which his
work will be rendered much easier. In closing
his report he made the following recommenda-
tions to the Fish Commissions:
First--That change be made in the law.
allowing OUTLINES. niRht-lnes set-lines. dur
This would be the means of stopping illegal sein-
ing bV parties who have small nets. and II would
aIiow fshing ss Siu6s during the camping season to
vert each one of them into a protector and
guar III ian of the S aw & nls MS, is mot not d
from such change IN the law.
Second-That the Fish Commission take steps to
have all the smaller streams. emptyng into the
Allegheny and Monongahela rivers stocked-each
with different variety of good food fish,. By.
stocking all smaller streams with all kinds Of fish
all the larger bodies of water would be the recep-
tacle of all the large fish in the fall and winter,
and then sportsman would have an opportunity
to get them.
SOME IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS.
ThIrd--That all wardens be required to visit the
different Matching houses for the purpose of in
creasng their own knowledge of the means of
propagatng ana distributing fish.
Fourth-1hat a law be passed to prevent the
pollution of streams by the refuse of mines, mills
Factories, etc. Many Of the mills empty blue Wit
riol and acids into the streams and fhe water is
poisoned. The fish won't stay in polluted water
and water in which fish cannot live is not fit for
Filth-That larger appropriations be made for
the benefit Of the wardens.
Mr.. Hague was seen yesterday by DIS
PATCH reporter. Speaking of his years work
in a general way he said: II think a great
amount of good was done this year. There has
been much less violation this year as compared
with last year. The people are beginning to
them. but that there is law which they must
not violate. /
'They have come to respect the law and 1 do
not believe will have 80 much trouble next
year. The majority of the people prosecuted
this year were old offenders and who have in
measure detied the officers heretofore. They
have learned a lesson that they will not |
forget next year. l am fortunate in having the
sympathy and support of the fishing clubs, and
trey were of considerable value to me this year |
received much information from them that |
was a help to me. 1 hope to be in . better |
shape next year to carry on the work more
successfully"
Mr.. Hague found another violator last night.
William Barrett, of Second avenue was found |
to have seven quail and one rabbit in his pos
session. He was arrested and taken before |
Alderman Reilly, where he gave bail for q |
hearing tomorrow afternoon.
Under the law, if convicted Mr. Barrett |
would have to pay $40 apiece for the quail and |
IS for the RABBIT. MIR. Hague said last night he |
going into hearing.
COLLECTING COUNTY TAXES