The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-02-14
RALLYOF OYSTER GROWERS
LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT
 MEETING

Unanimously Oppose the Bill Now Be-
 fore the Legislature Affecting Oyster
 Interests.
 Yesterday afternoon the largest and
 most important gathering of oyster
 growers from different parts of the
 state, which has ever occurred, was
 held at room 10, Insurance building
 and action was taken which is likely to
 have an important influence on the
 future of the industry. The meeting
 was called to order at 2 o'clock by Hen- ry c, Rowe, the first slgner of the call
 for the meeting. He then stated in suc- cession the reasons why the call was issued, each matter being considered and acted upon in the order in which it was brought up. MT. Henry P. Stagg of Stratford was elected chairman, and MT. Albert Lewis of Bridgeport clerk.
 The first matter considered was the bill now before the general assembly proposing to consolidate the board of shell fish commissioners with the board of fish commissioners and the game commission. The result of the bill, If passed, would be to do away with the present shell fish commission located at New Haven, and cause the appoint ment of a new commission, to be lo- cated at Hartford.
 The bill proposes also the appoint ment of an indefinite number of Special protectors, who shall be paid the same fees as game and fish wardens, together with such compensation as the board of commissioners should direct." 1t ap- peared in the careful discussion which followed that the shell fish commission as now constituted has been an exceed ingly efficient, business-like and econ omical body, the present commission performing substantially the same du- ties under present pay and expenses of $500 per year for which each member of the former shell fish commission re- ceived the sum of $2, 900 per year.
 It was also agreed that the proposed changes would cause great inconven- fence and unnecessary expense to the oyster growers in various ways, among which that of going to Hartford to transact their business with the shell fish office would be very annoying and expensive.
 After full considera tion the oyster growers and dealers assembled voted unanimously to oppose the proposed bill and appointed a committee of nine persons to go to the legislature and present the views of the oyster grow CTS to the general assembly. The names of those appointed to this committee are as follows: Henry C. Rowe of New Ha- S1p foy y.-l shall E.. Morris of Bridgeport, c. D. Parmelee of New Haven, Dumond Mer- win of Milford, H. J. Lewis of Bridge port, with one or two others to be added by the committee from the western part of the state.
 MT. Henry c. Rowe then introduced the matter of the formation of State Oyster Growers association. In the discussion which followed it was shown that the Oyster Growers association | which existed several years ago was of | great advantage to the oyster growers, | and doubtless if a similar association | was formed 1t would be of great benefit | to the oyster growers. By rising vote | it was unanimously decided to form | such an association, and the following | persons were appointed committee to l draft a constitution and bylaws and re- | port at meeting to be held next week | Monday at o'clock at the same place.
 The committee appointed was as follows: Henry c. Rowe of New Ha- ven, Marshall E. Morris of Bridgeport, Elwood Smith of New Haven, A. M. Prior of Stamford, and Ebert F. Lock- wood of Greenwich.
 MT. Rowe next brought up for con sideration the subject of the presenta- tion of a bill to the legislature, insti- tuting an oyster police for the enforce ment of the laws with reference to oyster grounds. It appeared that the oyster property of the state is less protected than any other class of property; also that the oyster growers have paid into the state treasury the sum of $60 900 for oyster ground and the sum of $S0 228.06 for taxes, and that all the outlay they have ever asked for from the state was for inspectors of mud dumping, which has amounted to about $4,800. It was unanimously voted that the legislative committee before mentioned be instructed to pre- pare and offer bill providing for the employment of an oyster police by the shell fish commissioners, in which em- ployment a sum not exceeding one-half the taxes paid annually by the oyster growers into the state treasury should | be expended, Two gentlemen present, who are also on the legislative committee of the Oystermen's Protective association, pledged their hearty endorsement to the measures approved at this meet ing. Votes of thanks were given by the / meeting to David 0. Sanford for as- :. sistance in circulating information of this meeting among the oyster growers, < and to Henry c. Rowe for taking the : initiative in calling the meeting,
 The greatest good feeling and unani- mity prevailed among the oyster grow ers throughout the meeting, and the oyster growers are at present more united than at any time before in the S history of the oyster industry.
 The meeting adjourned until next afternoon, February IS, at the