Evening journal., 1900-02-01

LEGISLATION NEEDED TO PRE-
SERVE EASTERN SHORE INTER
EsTS FROM DESTRUCTION
Easton, Nd, Feb. 1.-One of the
leading men in the oyster business on
the Eastern Shore says:
Il have talked with a large number
of men in all branches Of the business
and they nearly all think the time has
come for some radical legislation.
unless we can have some judicious
legislation the oyster business IN Mary
land will soon be a thing of the past.
"The trouble with the present law is:
If one takes up a piece of bottom for
planting purposes someone is always
ready to take the matter to court and
very likely prove that It is or has been
a natural oyster ground. There is no
place on the saltwater that has not
been a natural oyster ground at some
time in the past. There are a number
of creeks and coves in the waters of
Talbot. and the other oyster counties
of the state where oysters could be
grown profitably where there are now
very few oysters of natural growth.
IL the Legislature by a proper law
would condemn such creeks and coves
and permit the citizens of the respec-
tive localities to take up small lots of
such condemned bottoms by paying a
lease annually to the country or state
in a few years we would be in a posi-
ton to compete with any other state,
and Maryland would largely control
the entire oyster trade.
There could be oyster commissions
ers appointed as in Connecticut to To-
cate such lots, and by not allowing
any one person to take up more than
ten acres the oyster grounds could be
kept in the hands of our own citizens
and by such proposed legislation the
counties and state would derive a large
revenue where they now get none.
If the Legislature should see fit to
pass such a law itwould be we'll enough
to open the natural beds In the months
Of May and June for the purpose OF
getting a supply of oysters for the pri-
vate beds. Leaving the natural beds
closed during May and June is of nc
advantage to them whatever. as it al.
lows q thick slime to form over tho
shells and oysters on the bottom
whereas, If the beds were worked wher
near the spawning season the shell.
and other substances on the bottom
would present a rough surface, which
is especially adapted for the spat to at
tach itself to-"
DR.. Thomas j. Smithers, of Easton
one Of the state assistant game war
dens, raises a warning note about tn,
passing Of the food fishes in the Chop
tank and other streams Of Dorchester
Caroline and Talbot counties. He say.
the market fishing by pound nets /,
rapidly depicting these rivers OF thei
fish supply, and unless checked by AIDE
quate legislation the time is near a
hand when it will be impossible Il
catch q mess of fish" for ones owl
table. Rockdsh and perch, once 81
abundant, are about exterminated now
and the catfish are disappearing, 81
that the indications are that in a few
years shad and herring only will b.
left. they and the predatory carp.
No rockdsh less than 70 Inches il
length nor white perch less than
inches in length should be taken iron
the water says DR. Smithers. cam
big rocks, for instance-thOse waighin
10 pounds or more-if taken in tn
pounds should be turned loose fo
breeders. The meshes of the pound
should be enlarged. A tax in the shan
Of a license should be exacted fror
pound net fishermen, just as much a
from oystermen. AS &c is now, the stat
gets no revenue except the propert
tax on the nets, and it is found that
$500 equipment is assessed at $50
only"
Dr. Smithers says that now. whe
the terrapin has been practically extel
minated and terrapin epicures an
driven to sliders and swapping turtle
there comes up a cry for the protectio
Of the diamond back Very soon. ur
less there is some protective legisla
ton, sliders and snappers will becom
as scarce as terrapin are now. n
thinks also that there should be
closed season in Talbot for musl,rat
The four counties-Talbot. Dorche,
ter, Caroline and Queen Anne-shoul
co-operate in respect of fish legisl,
ton" says DR.. Smithers. CAS- II Is no,
thev are antagonistic. In Dnrcheste
for instance. no attemnt has haen MAJ
to enforce the Choptank fish law La,
season / made an Investigation IN
found that the law was onenlv violate
by the Dorchester pOund-net fsherme
in the Choptank. reported the ma
Ter n the states attorney or no~cha
ter corntv. but never heard from hir
and. as far as 7 know. no notice ~,
taken Of these violations BY Dorchestl
Officers"