Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-13

beco,,,a 1oix inches in length, would
mnltinlv and replenish tho ocean. We pc
ljeve Il would be sufficient protectlon
for the lobster industry. IL u ing aclua ~
of the fishermen from one extremity Oh .ne
coast TO the other. They say the ~
inch law is their salvation. THESE peti-
t;ons that came to our committee are not
large individually. OF the 1900 names
thinl there Is an average Of "A names 10
. netition from every coast county and al
most eyery town in the coast counties'
asking that this law be enacted.
This 1os inch law Is not entirely e4-
detrimental with the fishermen. Last year
Swan's island, Deer island, Monhegan
and some other islands agreed mutuh MY
10 cast into the sea all Holsters less IMAM
,0ls inches in length relieving that ~
was for their good and for the preserva-
ton of the lobster fisheries They ma
now as a practical result that they are
having better fishing than their neighbors
and thew come here en- masse saying that
what is good for them would also be goou
for all the State. and asking for this 1919
inch law. The bill proposed by the ma
jority changes the present law lnasmueh
as il does away with the protective law
for canning, which has been on the statute
book for some 20 years. 1t MAKES Ine
limit 101@ inches the year round. Inc
present law gives the Gamers the rignt 10
can only two months We are Wiling 20
give the Gamers IL months and place them
on an equal basis with every one else on
the lobster matter. We believe we can
legisIate with certainty on the lobster
uuestion-with greater certainty imam III
regard TO any other fish. They are not
migratory fish They are with US the
year round. The present law is special
law for the benefit of the Gamers. Ii
was enacted for that purpose ana that
alone One would naturally suppose
that an industry fortified by special laws
of the Legislature for 30 years would be
a progressive industry. 1t did at one time
assume great proportions. 1t was one OF
the largest canning industries on the
coast. 1 can remember when there We're
10 factories canning Holsters, where there
is one now The business is now confined
to the-counties of Washington and Han
cock-Only ~ factories in the whole state
of Maine. where there used to be 80. The
erason is because they have destroyed their
natural products upon which they most
depended. 1t is of no use for us by special
laws to try to overcome the law of supply
and demand which affects this case. In
the last two years, within two miles OF
my own home, one factory has gone out OF
the canning business because it is impos-
sible in that locality to get the product
of which to make profitable business OF
| the canning industry; and the indiscrimi-
nate taking of Holsters of all sizes
naturally must ruin this industry.
These so-called lobster canning factories
are not lobster canning factories, they are
sardine factories. and the canning OF sar-
dimes is their business and on what they
must depend for their existence. 1t is
the business of the coast of Maine. L
think it would be better for the State to
pass q resolve appropriatipg $4,000 for
these factories that they may remain in
the business, than TO enact a law to wipe
out of existence some 5000 or 5000 native
| fishermen on the coast of Maine and ruin
the greatest industry there is on our
shores. Our present commissioner says,
in the report of the New England commits
sioners on fish and game in 1894, that
there should be 10 4 inch law covering
the entire year. / submit that this bill,
signed by majority of seven DISTINGUISHED
unbiased men, should prevail.
| Mr.. Shea of Eastport said: You have
had presented for your approval two re-
ports relating to the proposed changes in
the lobster law, both of which are entitled
to your most careful consideration as to
which should be adopted with a view to
the best protection for the lobster, as this
is question of protection, not destruc-
ton, at least SO / understand the situa-
ton.
From the eastern part you have before
you bill which calls for close time Of
three months, during the summer, when
the spawning season is at its height
While this is not an absolute closed time
inasmuch as it does not prohibit lobster
fishing and sale of same in the State, but
does prohibit shipments out of the State
of Maine, and as tho bulk of the shipments
are sold out of this State, it is practically
n closed season of three months. 1t also
provides that for two months the smaller
Holsters may be used for canning purposes
1t seems to me this report is a very fair
and just one and should be adopted, as /
firmly believe there is need of close sea-
son for Holsters as much SO as applies to
| fish and game regulations so successfully
carried out in this State.
III rom Une western parU u rcpCEtslS OlIereu
asking for law limiting thasize of lobs-
tiers to 10% inches for tho months
This has been presented with ~ view, SO
it is claimed for it, to protect the lobster.
Now just when the protection comes in
cannot understand How is the lobster
protected. This provides that YOU may
catch all the 10H-inch Holsters "a size
when they have just maturcd) with little
if any restrictions every month in the
year. If this is protecting the lobster /
fail to see where it comes in. By this ar
rangement the canning establishments
must close their doors. / believe it has
never been the policy of the Legislature
of Maine to cripple or paralyze her in
dustrics, and do not think it is time to
commence now.
| Now, gentlemen. when you are called
| upon to vote on this measure, trust you
will consider carefully and use your best
Judgment as to what is the best protection
| for the lobster I understand it is protec-
ton that is wanted.
| Mr. Moore Of Gouldsboro said
did not come here to make a speech.
| | will state n few facts Before the Port