Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1904-01-28
ANOTHER EFFORT
FOR STATE CONTROL.


Up in Trenton in the State Capitol,
they are talking about oysters. Mon
day night the discussion was some
what animated. Charles r. Bacon
has had prepared what is styled a
State Control bill It provides three
districts. for the State, each is con-
trolled by State Commission of three
members with $1,000 Superintendent.
the same as the organization now con-
trolling the Maurice River Cove and
Delaware Bay industry. The First
District is comprised of the Cumber-
land county industry, as now pro-
vided The Second District starts
with the line Of the First and con-
tinues up to Bay Head in Ocean coun-
ty. The Third District is all of the
territory north of the Bay Head line.
IL is proposed that each district must
be self supporting, and much of the
legislation of the old act remains in
the proposed BILL
But there are some impo1ta t
changes that to the great body Of the
Maurice River oystermen will prove
highly Objectionable. The Bureau of
Shell Fisheries is very much dignifed
by the bill. At present this Bureau
is for the purpose of gathering statis-
tics and disseminating information,
but the Chief has no executive mower
over the oyster commission.
The proposed bill provides that the
Chief of the Bureau of Shell fisheries,
is the real head of all the Commits
sions. When there is any body dissat.
isfied with the decisions Of the Com
missions. they have the right, under
this bill to appeal to the Bureau Chief
who has autocratic power. It is also
proposed for the Bureau Chief to fix
the acreage tax in the various State
Control grounds. This will prove
decidedly Objectionable The Com
missionsyare obliged to make complete
and detailed reports of their every act
to the Bureau Chief.
Monday night, by invitation of Mr.
Charles r. Bacon, the Bureau of Shell
Fisheries Chief, the Oyster Commits
sions were in Trenton. Cumberland
was represented by Commissioners
Riley, Ogden and Suites, and Walter
l.. Bacon, Esq, counsel fer the Com
mission, was present. The Superin-
tendent of the Ocean County Commits
sion was also present.
The bill was closely and carefully
gone over, and Gum berland County S
representation dictated many changes
and there were number of sharp pas
sages, Mr.. @. r. Bacon defending the
bill, and resenting the proposition to
curtail his powers under the provision
Of the bill. Some of the features of
the bill were approvedsby Ocean coun-
ty, but Atlantic county is not at all
satisfied with the bill.
AS matter of fact it was shown
that the Maurice River Cove and
Delaware Bay re presents seven -ei ghths
Of the oyster industry of the entire
State. Tt would be dangerous indeed
for the Maurice River Cove industry
to get in a position where it will have
to make up some Of the losses of the
industry elsewhere.
In truth Cumberland oy ssermsn are
not anxious for any legislation this
winter It would be much hetter Tor
the State if existing conditions are
not disturbed. The present admins
tration is upon solid basis, and it
may not prove at all satisfactory to
add more authority from source that
is not at all practical and expert sncsd.
Mr.. Bacon, counsel for the Commits
sion. who knows. probably. more of
the oyster laws than anyone in the
State, has taken the bill and will thor
oughly disseot it in the interest of
Maurice River Cove and Delaware
Bay industry.