The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-11
LOOKING AFTER THE OYSTER
The State Oyster Commission Takes
LOOK at the Beds.

The State Oyster Commission Takes a
Look at the Beds
The commissioners appointed by Gov.
Northen, In accordance with an act passed
by the last general assembly, to investigate
the oyster resources and industries
of Georgia and to report any
additional legislation that might suggest
itself TO them TO further the development of
these resources, met at the Screyen house
yesterday afternoon.
The commission consists OF Col. j. /.
! Warren Of Savannah, Capt. James c.
Posten Of Brunswick aud Z. w. Grub,
Esq. Of Derien, all Of whom were present
1nis being the first meeting of the COM
mission no business was transacted beyond
organization. Col. Warren was elected
president and Capt. Postsll secretary.
By invitation the commissioners made a
trip down the river on q visit of inspection to
| the oyster fields below the city. They left the
foot of Bull street at O'Clock in the tug
Bessie. Besides the three commission ers
| the party consisted of Col w. w. Gordon,
| DR.. A. Oemler, president of the Oemler
| Oyster Company, and L. I. Turner, of Duck
worth. Turner q Co.; Col. John Soreven
| and G. A Hudson.
[ The party visited the property of the
| Oeuler Oyster Company and other oyster
I
rivers, and returned to the city at o'clock.
The oyster business is in its infancy in
Georgia Those interested expect much good
to result to the industry through the recon-
mendasions of the commission.
+. S. Beardsley and H. J. Lewis of the
Brunswick Oyster Cultivating and Canniag
| Company attended the meeting Of the COM
mission in the afternoon.
The Brunswick company has been organ
lied less than year, but is now turning
out 5000 cans OF oysters daily. Messrs
| BeardsleY and Lewis are both northern men,
who have come south and put their money
into the cultivating aud canning of
oysters, because they believe it
will prove paying investment if the oys-
ter industry is fairly tire itel by the state.
Mr.. Beardsey gave MORNING NEWS
reporter some interesting information upon
the subject of the oyster industry. He said
THE whole amount of capital now invested
In the cultivation of oysters in Georgia is
less than $250000. With proper encourage
ment, and laws that will foster and not
hinder its development, in few years the
value Of the oyster lands will be several
million dollars. The present law is favora-
BILE to the developments of the industry, but
it is only compromise, and there was q
fight over that. The cultivators can now
only obtain shore lease Of the oyster fields
With complete ownership these same lands
could be brought up to many times their
present value. The oyster fields are nothing
but bare stretches of sand and water, and
are absolutely worthless to the state unles:
cultivated.
"The appointments of the oyster commits.
sion by the last legislature" said Mr..
Beardsey, "was step In the right direction
1t is the duty of the commission to examine
aud report upon the condition of the in
dustry in Georgia, and to recommend such
laws and regulations as in their judgmen
would be beneficial. The COM
missioners have not dollars
interest in the oyster business
and are absolutely unparalleled. The oys-
ter men have great hopes of benefit from
the operations of this commission.
''There is great field for the oyster bust
ness in this state" Mr.. Beardsley added
Through mismanagement and other cause
the older fields are giving out. The de
mand for oysters is unlimited.
never has been supplied, and i
constantly on the increase: 1
properly encouraged it will b
a great source of profit *
the people of this section and will adj
several million dollars to the property O
the state"
| Messrs. Beardsley and Lewis viii retur
to Brunswick this afternoon.