The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-11
GEN. JOSEPH B. SETI

work: if however its task is unfinished
then the committee shall be continued
after the recess. This proposition is
now under consideration.
Three Resolutions.
There are already three resolutions in
committee in the senate and three in
the house. The Brewington resolutions
will be the seventh But for Germans
insistence uopn making this investiga-
ton a party question there would be
no trouble for the Warfield people and
Republicans want an investigation as
much as he. But they won't permit
him to make OF it a political football
The outlook for oyster legislation is
not encouraging. Although 3. Howard
Haman, the champion OF oyster plant
ing. has made concessions, abe opponents
of his plan are as much opposed 10 il
as ever, and at q hearing before the
committee on Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries, at which he and President
Seth measured swords, much feeling
was manifested. One great objection to
the Hannah bin is his definition OF a
natural bed. He insists that Il comes
In as a barren bottom when It fails To
produce oysters at all times. The oyster
men insist that some Of the best lands
in the bay are barren in some seasons
and fruitful at others. and that only
those beds which never yield are barren.
This Is General Seth's idea, and he is
backed by all of the Representatives in
tidewatar counties IN southern Mary
land and the Eastern Shore. As Mr.
Hannah declines to yield his contention
on this point il may prove an unsur-
mountahle obstacle Another objection
to the Hannah bill is a failure to provide
adequate profession for the planter. Il
makes the minimum area of lease in the
county waters one acre. and five acres
In the open bay, while the maximum Is
thirty acres in the county waters, and
one hundred in the bay. The planters
are expected to protect their beds. for
the small oyster navy cannot guard all
the waters in the bay. How a planter
owning five acres under cultivation can
prevent depredations is not quite clear.
1t would cost more than the beds would
produce 20 maintain a guard boat. which
must be stationed on the ground at all
times. About the only way proper pro-
lection can be afforded is by leasing
ground from headland to headland. and
only a corporation or combination OF
planters could AFFORD such a luxury; YET
the provisions of the Hannah bill are
very stringent against corporate own
ership.
Still another objection is the PROPOSE
ton to mark the boundaries with buoys
1t is claimed II this were done the bay
would literally be covered with buoys
and obstruct navigation. In deep water
these buOys must be held in position by
chains, which could become wrapped
about paddle wheels of passing steam>
ers. Nevertheless, Mr. Haman insists
his is the only feasible plan.
Seth Bill Liberal.
The Seth bin is far more liberal and
meets with the approval of the oyster
men His idea is TO reserve all natural
beds and dispose of all outside bot
toms following closely the Virginia plan.
The bill provides for a survey in which
the United States authorities are to be
invited to aid, as they did in Virginia,
and the matter is to be in charge of five
commissioners who are 10 designate the
natural bars TO be excluded from the
leasing system. General Seth is now
preparing a planting bin which is de-
signed TO overcome the objections TO
that presented by Mr.. Hannah.
This week a legislative committee will
go to Richmond to confer wi. h the Vir-
ginia Legislature and If possible secure
the enactment of law similar to that
In force in this State for the protection
of oysters in the Potomac river. While
this river is almost entirely in Mary
land. Virginia enjoys equal fishery
rights. Maryland oystermen are stopped
by State law from taking oysters out
of season, but Virginia boats unhindered
frequently encroach on beds on the
Maryland side. 1t is understood that the
Virginia authorities are ready 10 CO.
operate with those in Maryland 20 guard
against depredations.
No action has as yet been taken by
either of the elections committees on the
various measures referred to them
which seek to amend the law relating
to the ballot Several meetings were
held last week at which contests were
considered. but even these are dragging
There is disposition not to unseat any
OF the Republicans returned as elected
to the house.