Evening star., 1901-03-21
SPORTSMEN AS SAMARlTANS
FEATURES OF GAME AND FISH As
sOCIATION MEETING.
It's Vigorous Crusade Against the
Pollution of the Potomac Gain
ing in Strength.

votaries of the rod and reel who know
the pleasure Of angling In pellucid streams
where nature undefiled still retains all her
original charms may yet become the agents
for the preservation of human health. The
fish family may be vicariously the savior
of the family; the bass may in the same
sense preserve the baby or the crappie
serve to protect the child of larger growth.
Anglers are necessarily observant, and
it was their keen appreciation of their
surroundings that first called attention to
the pollution of streams which, while af-
fording shelter and homes for the fishes
in their smaller portions became sustain
ers of human life when they grew mighty
and were diverted into channels of daily
public supply The doctor and the bacte-
biologists took up the theme and nation
al crusade for aqueous purity is the result.
This fact was accentuated at the annual
meeting of the Game and Fish protective
Association held last night in Carroll In
stitute Hall. Despite the spring rainfall
there was a large attendance when Dr.
Walter S. Harlan called the meeting to
order in the absence of the president. Ad-
mirai Robley D. Evans, who was unable
to be present Another mighty angler. Dr.
w. Pope Young. officiated as secretary.
and representative gentlemen sportsmen
were seated through the hall.
An Important Review.
Most important was the report made by
Major Richard Sylvester. District game
warden. as chairman of the committee on
legislation who reviewed the successful ef-
forts made to amend the local game and
fish laws so as to make them more salts
factory and effective, and the prosecution
of violators of the statutes. In the course
Of his report Major Sylvester considered
the question of Potomac river pollution.
1T is remarkable" he said, what an
lln- rrnI arr1 oil
men and women prompted by the health.
recreation and skill which attach to use Of
the rod and reel, has sprung into existence
through the agitation due to your associa-
tfon, individually and collectively. They
study the weather, the water the forests
and mountains, and have learned the Po-
tonac. They know it's beautiful features
and can inteligently talk Of it's pollution.
Now we want Maryland, West Virginia
and Virginia to join us. that concerted ac-
tion may be had which will result in the
condemnation and eradication Of some Of
the impure and disagreeable features Of the
Potomac which filtration will not relieve"
Instructive Lectures.
When Major Sylvester had concluded his
report was referred to the executive COM
mittee, and Mr.. Henry Talbot whose en-
inence authority on river pollution is
undisputed, read a lengthy paper treating
the subject In exhaustive manner. He
described the manner in which the water
supply OF the nations capital city was in
danger of deadly contamination by the pulp
mills and other establishments up the Poto-
mac, and especially illustrated conditions
around Romney, w. Va. The paper was
replete with quotations from other authori-
ties. and viii be printed by the association
for distribution
Following Mr.. Talbot an illustrated talk
on the cruise of the steamer AlbatrOss
among the South Pacific islands was given
by Prof. Charles H. Townsend Of the United
States fish commission. The slides showed
various types of the natives, their houses
and methods of life, and were explained
with graphic sentences. A vote of thanks
was given the lecturer.
Proposed Amendment.
Through it's chairman, Mr.. Talbot, the
executive committee reported back it's con-
clusions on Major Sylvesters report. The
plan presented provided that the associa-
tions field Of work should be enlarged from
local to national proportions. To accom-
plish this the committee recommended that
the officers of the association consist OF
a president, secretary and treasurer from
the District, vice presidents from the Dis
trict, Virginia West Virginia and Mary
land and an honorary vice president from
each state and territory in the Union.
number of committees were also provided
for, the members of which and the officers
of the association shall compose the ex-
ecutive committee.
Chairman Talbot proposed the plan as
an amendment to the constitution, and, on
motion of Major Sylvester, it was deter
mined to consider it at a special meeting
to be held two weeks hence. The election
Of officers was also deferred to the coming