The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-06
ISLAND FISHERIES.

Secretary Gage has forwarded to Con-
gress a deficiency appropriation of $4,000
to complete the investigation of the fish
cries of Hawaii as required by the or
ganic act of April 80. 1900 This sum is
intended to cover the expenses of the
Albatross on her cruise, set to begin on
March 1 from San Francisco.
Indirectly, this item was discussed by
''UncIe joe Cannon, chairman of the
appropriations committee, during the
House debate of Jan. % on the urgent
deficiency bill. Mr.. Cannon was criti-
Ching the Fish Commissioner, Mr.. Geo.
NJ Bowers, for the large expenses incur
red by that bureau and cited Hawaii as
an instance Under the organic act for
the Hawaiian Islands," he declared in
the course of his speech, authority and
! a provision were made for a fish sta
ton for the purpose of studying the
habits of the fish living in the waters
adjacent to the Sandwich Islands. That
: is all.
| "Well, now, there is the bald authority
! in the organic act, which is just like the
thousands of things in the acts organic
ing the Territories, and other things OF
a similar character. Sometimes, and In
some of these cases it is the duty of
the United States as well its interest
to do the work. But it was not called
to the attention of Congress as to what
the cost would be, or whether it was the
sense of Congress to make the appropri-
alton at all. Yea, yea, We are told, with
out word of explanation, the Fish
Commissioner selects an eminent Scient-
list the Pacific coast, and how many
others do not know, and they travelled
to the Sandwich Islands to study the
habits of the fish of that region and !
believe that they have the report about
ready to submit-a report which will COW
a large number of pages.
But the question is, Who paid the ex-
penseS? From what fund were they
paid?> Why, from the general appropria-
ton for vessels, maintenance, etc, that
is intended to be made by Congress for
the existing fish service? But he comes
in and wants a supplemental provision in
the shape of a deficiency. We say no.
He says he wants to send them back to
the Sandwich Islands and put them on
the Albatross, and let 1t lie off in the
waters of these islands for several
months, and for what purpose? Why,
Mr.. Chairman, he wants them to stand |
off the shore TO- 15 or 20 miles and make |
deep-sea soundings, and also at the same |
time to study up the habits of the fish |
of those waters. Now, that is an entire |
ly proper thing, but yet he wants about |
$4,000, as L recollect it, to do the work |
with. We held it up and did not \
put it in the bill. In other words, |
we are to be taken into the con-
fdence OF the Fish, Commission and of |
the public service under the Executive |
department elsewhere, ana TO Know
something to what is to become of
the money that is to be expended before
we appropriate it. That is the point we
make.
Now, we left these items out. We
wanted to make further investigation |
ind we treated the matter, so far as it |
IAN be treated, as a proposition that |
should properly come on the regular de-
iciency bill, if it comes anywhere, and it
VII be reported later on in the session,
.fter mature consideration"
Mr.. Bowers stated today that he ex-
,ected to get the item of $4,000 for the !
ruise of the Albatross in Hawaiian wa
ers put on the urgent deficiency bill in
he Senate. He will probably succeed.
The bill to provide American registry
or the barkentine Hawaii, mentioned in
recent letter has passed the Senate ,
nd is now before the House committee
n merchant marine and fisheries There ,
provision in the act that the Hawaii
hall not engage in the coasting trade
xcept between the Pacific coast and the
hawaiian Islands.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mrs. Catherine Batcheler of Honolulu,
Tho has been visiting here for some
eeks, died on the morning of January
from grip and Group. She has a |
aughter in California. near Fruitvale.
nd efforts have been made to reach her
y wire Mrs. Batchelel- mad been ill for
,me time
Delegate Wilcox continues to improve | /
nd has been able for some days to re-
1--WE visitors; but he is not allowed to
} out of doors.
Mr.. Caypless has a petition of 765 resi- r
ents of Hawaii, asking for the protec- L
on of the rice industry of Hawaii by
lie enactment of a specific law applica-
e to said Territory and permitting the
ming of certain necessary Chinese Ia
'rers annually" Among the signers are
larles NJ. Cooke, J. B. Anterior, John
IA and Cecil Brown The petition will
presented to the committee on terri
res by Delegate Wilcox.
Delegate Wilcox has received a COM ID
from ]. w. Girvin. commits -
oner of immigration, recommending n
at Chinese laborers be allowed to come :
the Islands.
ERNEST G. WALKER