The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-31
Oysters and Roads.

"Good roads. and the barron bottoms"
Of oyster lands alo two questions which
are exciting quito as much attention IN
Maryland as I'll Virginia
A convention OF representatives Of
farmers clubs has Just been held IN Bal
tiinoro to discuss certain bills now before
tho Legislature, particularly ono known
as the "Hanan bill, which proposes to
doal with the ,,nproductve oyster prop
orty OF the state.
Mr.. Iatnan. tho author Of this measure,
believes Tho Chesapeake Bay can be made
to prod,tce a revenue sufl1cient to keep
Iii repnir all public roads and bridges
within Its borders. Maryland now appro-
pirates every year 5000 to this purpose.
all Of which Is raised BY direct taxation,
though he thinks 1t could be gotten fromt
the bay BY leasing out tho bottoms fit
for oyster planting. His idea Is that tho
State should not sell, but SHOULD rent
these now barren bottoms, and apply the
revenue regularly to making and main
tanning a road system, which would be Of
lncalculable advantage
Tho Hannah bill provides for the leasing
Of barren ottoms, and with the intent.
TINT the sum thus raised shall be dis
tributed among the counties Of the State,
to DO used in road improvements.
Mr.. Hannah says that in the palmy days
Of the oyster industry ten million bushels
Of oysters wero annually taken from the
bay and Its tributaries. '"These Oysters
wore taken from what are called the
rocks or beds, where they grew naturally
The area Of these natural rocks is roughly
estimated at about 100000 acres Tie
area of Che barren bottoms. where oysters
do not grow, butswhere they can be made
to grow, is. according to the best esti-5
mates, about 100000 acres. Competent
Judges have estimated that the whole Of
this vast area OF 100000 acres Is 1T for
oyster culture" But, says Mr. Haman
If wo suppose that only ono-half Of It is
adapted to that use. the annual product
will DO at least 20 900 bushels of oysters!
The baltimore convention referred to
passed a resolution Recommending lcglsla-t
tive action along the general lines OF the
Haman bill. and like action was taken
with reference to the proposed Shoe
maker road law }
au3 In many respects inc oyster QueSlloiil IL
Maryland Is similar to tho oyster Dues
ton in virginia. Without n question the
State ought to encourage the cultivation
of oysters on the barron rocks, but 1t is
equally its duty to safeguard leases so
that the public treasury may not suffer
and the interests OF the people DO not
injured. In other words, the principle is
ali right, but what legislators have to
guard against Is crude or hapless legisla-
ton which may hecor,e a burden upon
the state. rather than a help to It.
We suppose that the provision Of the
proposed laws applying tho not revenues
from the oyster fund to the building Of
good roads has the double purpose Of
popularizng tho Hamnn bill and Offering
much needed aid to road building In that
State.
If Maryland Is In n financial condition
to spare so much revonuo from her gem
ornl treasury, we'll and good. It would
DO question open for investigation
whether Virginia could do SO without
disregard OF other important interests