Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-07-20
The Fishway Hearing.

have fshways in the different dams on Union
river at present: have SO often expressed
myself to my friends that the opposite woula
be true, that feel also that l owe these a
personal explanation.
The committee of the board of trade, Of
which l am member, is in no way response
BILE for what have to say, though so far as /
know we are in entire accord. Ny interest in
this matter has sprung from 10 personal profit
or pleasure, but because believe that no one
thing holds out such possibilities for the fu-
ture financial gain OF our city as systematic
encouragement of the splendid fish and game
facilities of our county. They are already
superb, although unadvertised and unknown
to the outside world, brit holding out far
greater expectations if there is sufficient pub
lie spirit TO maintain proper protection and
propagation.
From the single standpoint of fish, which is
the matter in question we have two
hatcheries within as many hours drive, ready
and willing to turn loose millions of fish
wherever there is proper food and encour-
agement for so doing. Before give the his
tory of this at present, at least, abortive eff
fort to obtain ishways, l want to say that
however harshly my opinion may differ from
the fish commissioners of this state, have
nothing but respect and esteem for each and
all of them. also feel confident that no man
on the committee, to which have the honor
to belong, of which Charles H. Drummey
is chairman, wishes to enforce the putting in
OF these fshways if an extreme burden is 10
fall upon the dam-owuers on the river.
among whom are some Of my warmest friends.
Some three or four months ago my interest
in having ways ON the river became known to
some of the officers of the board of trade, and
l was asked to become member OF the COM
mittee having that in charge. As the COM
mittee had other and large measures also in
hand, it deyoiyed in a way upon me to inves-
tigate or to pursue investigation in the direc-
tion indicated communicated with differ
ent authorities, some Of whom are surely
experts on the subject.
l finally. by several excellent recomme ida
lions through mutual friend, got the ear Of
Mr.. Bracket, the fish commissioner of Massa-
chusetts, and the author of the Bracket
fshway', who finally sent me the working
plans OF the aforementioned ffshway. His
estimates were that he could build on the
average for at least - per running foo;
prices differ in localities. These plans were
put in The hands OF competent authorities
who estimated that ii would cost less than
$500 per dam on the average to construct
them. l have little doubt that such con-
tract could be made at any time.
The next move was TO have a hearing before
the fish commissioners of Maine whether
Union river is river "inhabited by salmon"
etc. That hearing took place Monday even
ing at the American house. 1t is true that
the committee was not thoroughly prepared;
one of them had no doubt but the COM
missioners would order fshways. as l had no
doubt about the facts warrantng them. We
had to show that Union river is a river IRE
quented by salmon. We could not do it.
We did show what one questioned that
many years ago Ia matter Of history easily
ascertained and not questioned there, before
dams, this was river into which enormous
quantities of salmon came We did show
what no one questioned, and it was on the evil
dence Of Mr.. Greedy, opposed to fishways.
that even years later after dams shut them
out they kept on trying in large but dimin-
ishing quantities to "inhabit" the river.
We did show, what no one questioned. that
even now after three-fourths Of q century OF
close dams salmon are caught in small guam
titles beloU the lo,cer dam. No one ques-
toned it, nor did any one question the fact
stated that it was very significant that most
OF the salmon caught in the river were caught
below the lower dam. We did show, and no
one questioned it. that million or two of
salmon had been placed in Union river last
year. and we offered the opinion of an expert
that the fish of last years planting would 90
out this year or next, practically all of them
coming back the following year and finding
no opportunity of ascent would come back
again in greatly reduced ranks until finally
all would give up the fight
We showed all this and more; but we could
not show that Union river is river 'inhab
tied or "frequented" by salmon. Is this the
spirit of the law Was this the intention of
the lawmakers? No one doubts that one
hundred or more years ago this river was full
of salmon in the season; that after dams were
built they kept coming in gradually dimin-
lshlng quantities until, as Mr.. Carleton him
sell SAID IN answer to question of my own
asking, they followed the rule, and now come
in very small numbers if indeed these same
specie come at all.
Practically no one doubts that these sal
mon now put into the river viii go out, that
they will come back. that they will repeat
their efforts In constantly diminishing num-
bers. No one doubts either that we can have
turned loose into this river and its hundreds
of tributary lakes and streams ali the multi
forms and millions of fish we need or ask for.
that this section with proper fshways aud
guarding may become a sporismen's centre.
But We cannot SHOW that Union river is
frequented BY salmen-that stops the whole
matter. 1t is time that large part Of the
expense fails on outside parties, abundantly
aole 10 bear H. some OF whom have notified
the commissioners OF their readiness to put
in the necessary expense on notice. want to
be frank about this matter from beginning to
end. believe il to have a great deal to do
with Ellsworth 5 future. | know that al ready
a nucleus of very influential men are dis
GUESSING the matter of a sportsman's club in
this section. and are watching this movement
which will influence greatly their coming to
staying 1t will mean thousands of dollars or
this county if they come.
This is one of hundred benefits that we
" m a ia hat
| easily can be made from this view. Ellis
worth, which love in common with all her
citizens. who | am glad 10 say have an I'M
common and healthy fondness for her albeit,
IT is often shown without system or proper
direction, is suffering not because she has no
resources, but because they are not utilized.
repeat what | have before said or init
mated, that if her fish and game privileges
can be properly advertised, guarded and i'm
proved upon, she will be opened to an income
beyond any now within her borders. Beiev-
ing this, am Of the opinion that the commit
tee OF the board of trade was not dealt with as
it should have been Monday evening. No one
could be more ready with an apology than