The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-11-26

before the commission took hol
in this state, 1t is q well known fac
that few streams, il any, boasted {
game fsh,of any description. Their
were only two or three streams 1
the extreme northern part OF tb
lower peninsula where brook trou
were native. At the present tim
there are over 1900 streams in whicl
they will be found. Besides this
wall-eyed pike, lake trout and othe
varieties are found in a large mum
Der OF lakes where they were not tc
be had before. For all OF this
the commission is entitled to the
credit.
IF large corporation owned the
state OF Michigan, it would spend
large amounts Of money for propa
eating fish, just as business propo.
sition. The men at the head of the
institution would quickly appreciate
the chances to double on the invest
ment. 1t would not appeal TO them
in any other way than an immensely
paying proposition That the state
should go ahead on the same plan is
a logical conclusion. Instead OF al
lowing $50, 1000, regular allowance
of $50, 900 should be made. In this
way. the work OF the commission
would not be hampered.
"The commission, in reality, does
not cost the state a dollar. In addi.
tion to the vast sums realized by its
inhabitants, there is another large
sum paid out in buying up land that
borders along the streams and pay
ing taxes on it. Where there was
only deserted wilderness following
the last stroke OF the lumberman s
axe, you can now find q whole set
Element OF people, who depend for
their living on what they get from
the fishermen for board and inciden-
tails. The land reverted to the state
for delinquent taxes, and there was
no money to pay for schools, but
after the whir of the fisherman s
reel was heard. the schools were
not slow in being built. On one
river know Of, there are twenty
miles on both sides taken up by
fishermen. The same is true OF other
streams, and / say that the state is
IL wot''.---A mouey in taxes than
way, and more money ruu. -
of the commission costs.
"A man cannot consider what the
benefits OF fish propagation are with
out realizing more and more that
they are numberless. The redemp-
tion of land that had always been
regarded as valueless after 1t was
denuded of trees is one of the bene-
fits, but not more important than
the others. The fact that strangers
come and buy up the land and live
for the time being in the state in
duces the residents to get hustle
on, and the results many fine hotels
which cater exclusively to the fisher,
men. A fine hotel is Of incalculable
benefit to community.
Losing sight OF the practical
side OF fish propagation, it is my
opinion that the true benefits of II
cannot be estimated in dollars and
cents. The plains and rolling wood
lands of Michigan are traversed with
an interesting network OF rivers and
streams, and dotted with countless
beautiful lakes. Ifthey are properly
stocked with fish they will afford the
tired and careworn farmer an oppor
tunity to take an outing and relieve
the dull monotony OF his daily life
Dollars and cents cannot compare
with the benefits in health and recre
alton thus provided. They are worth
more than it costs to maintain oul
game fish, worth more than all th'
millions that lovers of art frou
other states spend among US. Th'
man who loves fishing enjoys better
health and lives longer than he other
wise would, and when he dies h'
will die happier than he otherwise
would.
Iu conclusion. Mr.. Dickerson sait
it is a fact that the commission
, has greater demands made on it thar
can be supplied. He remarked tina
progress Is being made 10 educating
the people to guard the fish out o
season, but said that more stringen
laws are needed as we'll as a bette
, system OF employing and payinl
, men to, look. after the fish.
IA tyue sportsman, " said Mr.
Dickersoh, twill never fish out 0
, ason. but it Is true that even to
dav fish re dvnnmited ',