Bridgeton pioneer., 1898-03-03
FISHERMRN's TROUBLE.
me Jersey Fishermen Will Invade the
Disputed Delaware Territory and
Take the Cnnseo,nennas

Ihe PIONEER few days ago published
a rumor concerning the shipment of
cavlare to Germany, and the matter was
OF special interest to the many fishermen
in this locality.
The following additional information
comes from Pennsgrove, and it W i'll prove
highly interesting:
The sturgeon fishermen Of the lower
Delaware river and bay are now con-
fronted with a situation of far more
seriousness to their financial interests
than that threatened rupture between the
Jersey and Delaware fishermen in the
rumor current, which has general
crsdence in some quarters, to the effect
that owing to the disposition of the Ger
man Government to restrict the importa
ton OF certain American articles, it is
probable that the caviare of the sturgeon
may De nsted among the interdicted ex-
ports. 1t is stated on good authority that
notlhcatlon to this effect has been received
by an exporter of caviare, and the fisher
men nave been on the anxious bench for
several days awaiting either denial or
confirmation of the rumor. Such action
on the part of the German Government
would mean the practical destruction of
the vast sturgeon fishing industry in this
country, and particularly in the Della
ware, which is recognized as the best
surgeon waters of the country. Ger
many has for years contracted with the
various sturgeon firms for all the cavaire
that could be prepared, and the supply
not being equal to the demand, and the
price per keg has advanced so rapidly
that last year the firms doing business
With the large houses of Germany re-
celVed as high as $50 keg for the ca Ware
The fears of the fishermen, however, on
TINS point, have been somewhat sef at
rest by the statement of Captain George
u shannon, Secretary of the Sturgeon
flshermen's Protective Association, who
Is the largest exporter in this section.
Last year he exported nearly $50 900
worth OF caviare to Germany alone, and
yesterday he received a communication
from one of the largest caviare houses in
Germany, seeking contract with him
for their supply. stating that their repre-
sentative was on his way to New York to
make the necessary arrangements.
Captain Shannons Statement,
captain shannon said to reporter:
oeiieye the report concerninss !. tax
on caviareis utterly false and only malaci
Gus in its intent If such action was con-
templated l would be among the first tc
/ be notified, as my interests in the sturgeon
business lie chiefly in my dealing with
the German people in the expectation OF
caviare. Then, too, I am preparing at the
notlhcatlon of the German dealers to
make contracts for the coming season,
and expect to complete my dealings with
their representative in New York next
week, and, in contradiction of the report.
there is no better evidence than the ur-
gent requests of the German dealers for
the nshermen to increase their exports,
II possible, this year. Another fact that
tends to discredit the report is that the
consumption of caviare in Germany is
very large, and it has become such a.
household article of food that they can't
get along without it. Last year there
were about 5000 kegs of caviare exported
| ana
nay hrms, which, at the average price of
$50 keg, yielded the enormous revenue
OF S2oO,OOO. 1t is obvious from these
| hgures why the fishermen manifest such
concern as to the truth or talsity of the
report, out L am not in the least alarmed
and believe the report does not contain
grain of truth
| That Dividing Line.
"Since the conference between Cover
no1 VOORHEES, and Attorney General GREY
and the committee of the Sturgeon Fish
ermen's Protective Association concern
ing the proposed enforcement of the Della
ware law prohibiting Jersey fishermen
from crossing an imaginary line in the
Delaware, under penalty, developments
have come to light which do not bode any
good for the rights of the Jerseymen. A
| communication from the Department of
Fisheries of Delaware to the sturgeon
fishermen of New Jersey announces
that the battle cry has blown over, and
that the fishermen of New Jersey are
law abiding citizens" and, continuing,
says: All Jersey knows the law, and all
good, honest fishermen have and will re-
spect the same.
Retaliation Wanted.
"This sort of a deliverance does not suit
the Jersey fishermen, and they now advo-
cate the passage of a resolution appealing
to the Legislature to pass a retaliatory
measure. Several of the fishermen, how
ever. are obstinate, and propose fishing
on the forbidden territory the same as in
previous years, and if arrested will sp-
peal their case to the Supreme Court to
test the constitutionality of Delaware's
discriminating law.
Their Sympathizers.
The Jersey fishermen claim that the
Delawareans cannot stand restrictive
measure on the Jersey side because the
principal catch of shad is on the Delaware
Si6a and ha hoI GnI