Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-07-13
ALL QUIET ON THE JAMES.
Illegal Summer 0ysterins Has
Been Abolished.

Ever since its induction into office on
the first of last April, the new Board of
Fisheries has been devoting nearly its
entire time to conditions on the James
river. In their efforts to enforce the law
the members have had the hearty CO.
operation of the best citizens-t -tongers
and planters-aiong the river.
The chairman and secretary spent
the better part of April on the river,
studying conditions, and since then
the chairman has made weekly cruises
up and down the river putting into
operation the plans mapped out.
The result is that for the first time
in many years illegal summer oyster
ing has been totally abolished. Chair
man Lee could hardly believe reports
of good behavior as the result of the
Boards policy until he recently made
trips up and down the river incognito,
not on the States boats but in private
gasoline launches. Where formerly
could be seen hundreds-yes, thousands
of tongs at work on the States
grounds, actually digging up the bot
tom of the river for small spat and
shell-layers of centuries with which
to make good bottoms for private beds,
now not tong is thrown overheard for
this purpose. The seed-buying boats
from other States have disappeared
also.
1t is needless to say that this policy
pursued will inure in untold advantage
to every class of citizen.
Heretofore the tonger who operated
under the reprehensible permit" sys-
tenn, trespassing upon the natural
rock and slipping within the permitted
stakes upon sighting inspectors or po-
lice boats, getting few hours work
in per day and gathering inconsequen-
tial returns from his ten-cent per-
bushel market, the while slipping back
and forth and keeping an eye upon
officials has hauled up his boat for
painting, and while giving the small
oysters a breathing spell is seeking
more remunerative but not so excit-
ing employment at saw-mills, brick
yards, wood-chopping and farming,
greatly to the swelling of his own
purse and the satisfaction of employers
ashore.
Many things have conduced to this
happy condition, among them the com
mendable cooperation of several of
the best citizens as has been noted.
Others are satisfied to "be good" so
long as their neighbors do likewise.
Quietude in other waters of the State
has enabled the Board to devote most
of the time to the James, where, be
it said with regret, Fisheries Boards
have ever found more trouble than in
all the other waters combined. The
plan adopted by the new Board is one
that former Boards have hesitated to
attempt because of the meager allow
ance by the Legislature for operat-
ing expenses. A continuance of the
present policy in the States grandest
stream should warrant future Legis-
latures in dealing more literally with
fishery officials. For the time being
the expense is greater, but the preser-
walton and-even restoration-of this
great state treasure cannot be meas
ured by the pittance allowed for its
protection.
The members Of the Board found that
it would take ten times the navy at
their disposal to continue the policy
of cruising up and down the river,
with colors flying. Boatmen could
sight steamer, and be safely within
private stakes long before they them
selves were sighted. After the passing
of the police the tonger would slip back
to his illicit work. This game of hide
and-seek was spicy life to the oyster
man. Very seldom, if one of the tong
ers or buyers Were caught, could the
State make out its case in the courts,
witnesses and jurymen would so fire.
quently be in sympathy with their
countymen. An illustration may be
used, where upon recent trial the ac-
cused tonger had to be taken from a
jury venire for trial before another
jury composed mostly of associates.
The method devised by the board
has been TO disband a portion of the
navy, anchoring two of the steamers
at prominent and vital points in the
river manned by two or three men with
rifles and orders to shoot, and similarly
manning three borrowed schooners with
men and guns from the tied-up steam.
ers. This gives protection to and view
points commanding the entire river
where oystering is done. So far but
once or twice, in the early stages, ha.
it been necessary to shoot, but the de
predators have tested the metal of the
officials and chosen discretion as the
better part of valor.
1t is rather hard on the watchers, il
sight Of land but not setting foot OF
it for weeks at time, but they ar,
sticking bravely to their posts, an,
as it were, sleeping with one ey.
open.
The James River, the baby of tn,
steamer fleet, visits the lay boat
daily, supplying the immured men witt
food, water, ice and papers, and thi
! to them is the only break in the mo
! notony of these hot, but quiet days, Oh
the "Jeems. Norfolk Landmark.
SHIP LOAD OF DRIED FLIES.
Recently ton of song birds was i'm
n,