The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-08-24
INSPECTION
OF OYSTER
FISHERIES

Senators. representatives state officers.
commissioners OF various things. including
BARRIERS. and some reporters, embarked
on the steamer corsair this morning
about 10 o'clock to assist the commits
sioners OF shell fisheries 70 inspect the
oyster beds OF the state according TO the
usual custom. and 10 eat big shore
dinner.
The party included about 100 persons
well known In official life. with OF course
few who are not well known yet but
are willing to be and who considered this
occasion a good one TO discuss the po-
litical situation.
One of the first things sighted by the
junketers was the tall form OF the genial
secretary OF the commission James G.
Collins, as he lowered above the members
OF the board welcoming the guests near
the gangway.
Mr.. Collins was the committee OF one
on transportation and there was also a
committee on refreshments, whose work
was not visibles TO the naked eve till
after the boat got under way. This COM
mittee comprised Messrs. James Wright
~.
Sale. the latter being the engineer OF the
board. and II was easily the most pop
ular committee, as man Is bound to
feel kindly 10 those who look after his
creature comforts.
Some OF the assemblymen who with
members Of the shell Ash commission.
were interested in the pollution OF the
bay recently reported. were interested
enough TO pay a visit TO the works OF
the Providence Gas company 10 see what
possibilities there were for gas resldium
leaking out into the bay.
The condition OF the shell fish In va
rious portions OF the upper bay proved
interesting tc the greater part OF those
present and the pollution, the source Of
which the harbor commission is endeavor-
ing 10 make a mystery, was discussed at
considerable length.
In this connection Senator Ellis absence
was noted by several as he would have
been able. II he chose. TO tell the position
of the gas company in the matter and
10 tell how much truth there was in the
charges against the company made by the
shell fishermen down the river.
The prospects for an oyster set were
noted under the guidance OF a well known
planter. who has practically staked his
fortune on iNthis fall. and also the
chances for the rapidly approaching seal
lop season were discussed
The opinion OF the commissioners, based
on the reports OF the men from Green
wich bay and the observations OF the
deputies is that the scallops will be scarce
this fall. as present indications point 10
a light set
The law will be off at midnight a week
from today and the scallop deputies will
he busy for the next few days watching
out for "sooners" who. tempted by the
high prices. will try 10 get a few gallons
into market before the legal time.
After sailing around the upper bay and
In several OF the smaller arms of the large
body OF water. the officials had almost to
a man developed tremendous appetites,
and IL was a welcome move when the
prov OF the Corsair was turned toward
Rocky Point, where shore dinner was
prepared for them.
1t was a very successful trip. as all con-
cerned will agree, and the committeeman
were recipients OF a number OF compli-
mentary remarks by their legislator
guests.
The shell fish commission includes
Philip H. wilbour. Jittle Compton. chair
man; James NJ Wright. Foster; William
T. Lewis. Jr., Darlington; Samuel r.
Hoxsie. Jr., Charlestown: John II. North
UP OF Warwick. and James c. Collins OF
Providence, clerk.