The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-27

There was a large gathering OF fisher
men a the State House today. and they
not only represented themselves bur in
directly. yet convincingly the proprietors
OF shore resorts along Narragsnsett bay.
There was an Informal hearing on the
most feasible means Of protecting and
propogating the clam Industry. including
auahaugs. and four or five commissioners
were present. In The absence Of Chair
man Wilbur, William r. Lewis presided
and beside him were Messrs. Hoxsie,
Northup and wrieht also members of the
commission as wei as the clerk. James
c. Collins
SHELL FISHERIES.
IN his recent message 20 the legislature,
Governor KimbslI had tho following sug-
gestions to offer relative TO shell fisheries
The revenue 20 tie state in rents from
the lands leased FOR the raising OF oysters
IS s25,69l25 for the year. During 1901 there
have been leased additional lands 20 the
number OF 1858 acres, which the com
missioners estimate will add more than
$4,000 20 the receipts OF the current year.
The clam beds are sn important source
of revenue 10 MANY ~ the Inhabitants OF
our state. Their depletion TO any extent
IS TO he seriously depiored. l urge that
YOU consider measures for their protec-
tion. Attention should also he given TO
the preservation OF tho scaliop fisheries.
ALL ADVOCATE PROTECTION.
Governor KimbaH was present today
and occupied n prominent seat by tho
side Of the commissioners. The hearing
commenced shortly after II o'clock aud
lasted for more than two hours. among
the speakers being experienced men I'm
the clam, auahaug and even oyster bust
ness. including Captain -Slocum. Israel
Smith and Captain Crandall. all Of Paw
tuxet the last med furnishing tho sea-
SONS supply 20 Col. Atwell ar Fields
Point: Messrs. johnson and McGarney
and Dr. Albert j.. Mead. associate pro-
fessor OF Brown University.
While the ma iority spoke from a prac-
ucal standpoint advocating protection.
lest the supply continue TO grow insult
fcent for the demands OF consumption
yet they urged that tho laws should be
enforced and pirates from Connecticut
and Massachusetts bo prevented from
coming here and robbiug resident clam
ners" of their rights.
There ia plenty OF law MS II IS re-
marked the speakers generally and tho
violatCrs from other states are we'll
known. But let us 40 into Massachusetts
and do the same and see how quick We
would be arrested.
SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS.
Or. Mead speaking scientifically said
No protection had been accorded tho OK
perimentsl plots until this year They
had planted . acres With spawn from
one-sixteenth TO one-half-inch In length.
5000 70 the quart and successfully too.
This had been done ne Buttonwoods.
Rumstick and various other points along
Narragsnsett's shores. In year those
planted had grown 10 over two inches iu
length and he showed specimens 60 DEM
onstrate the remarkable growth OF some
planted last June and August
SET THIS YEAR GOOD.
Asan experiment 1900 about two weeks
Old we're caught m August. ls0o, and they
made in bulk only about three-qusrtors
o. p auart ln the August followine th"
= ne had 20 developed as 90 mako II
quarts
While tho set this year Is very sood.
The set two ye,rs ago was exceptional
IN his opinion it vas impossible 30 alb
solutely eXtcrminate clans because the
free swimmers spawned in deep waters
and stony places where they could hardly
b. reached clam less than Two iurhfF
IN lsnrth was hardly worth bringing ~
market A. 60 the "churnirg process
ts RE little fear and believed that with
y fair appropriation enforcement of th"
laws N necessary ~ special cultivation
equally as much ~ oystrF-thc raisinr
and drrine ~ CLAIMS and qushaurs could
n reinstated 60 itF place az one of ihc
important industries ~ the SLATE
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when shown Providence dispatch to