Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-02-01
CRABS MAY HIBERNATE
IN PEACE IN VIRGINIA
Rew's Closed Season Bill Goes
Through 10 lis Final Reading
for Engrossment.
Hampton PACKERS ARR HARn mt
HAMPTON PACKERS ARE HARD hit
In An Effort TO Delay Action an
Amendment is Tackled on to Meas
ure Which Puts an Additional Tax
on Boat Owners in TideWater--
Gaines Gives Statistics.
Especial to the Daily r,ess.)

RICHMOND. VA. Jan. 3l.-Thc
Rev Crab bill was given it's third
reading today in the Assembly AMI
has been sent On TO engrossment.
The forces attacking the Rev crab
bill adopted new tactics today when
an effort was made TO hold mp the
hll for the fourth time Nv having the
measure recommiNed. The new plan
III campaign was for tho purpose of
transferring the measure To the fin,
nnce committee.
The Rev men were advised that
The crabpacking interests were will
ing 10 make a liberal concession in
The form of taxation. II was suggest.
ed that The crab packers would ac-
cept measure imposing tax
amounting To about $500. The crab
packers have hecn paying less than
9l5 n year
Senator Holt Takes Hand.
Tie leadership of the forces in the
legislature aligned against the Rev
bill passed from Delegate Harry X.
Houston, of Elizabeth City county. to
Senator Saxon w Holt, of Newport
News, today by mutual consent. Sen.
htCr Holt expressed himself this
morning of being confident of defeat
ing the Rev bill.
Mr. Houston has made n remark.
able record for a new member Ia
leading the fight on the measure. Ii
was the first bill introduced in the
House nj this session, the first favor
ably reported by a committee, the
first measure recommtted and the
first bill attacked on the floor of the
honse. The new member from Eliza.
beth City county held it up twicr
after the bill reached the calendar,
inducing the house to pass it by until,
Today. when the measure came MP
on Il special order.
All the Talk is Crabs.
Qhe absorbing topic of discussion
bekore the opening of the session
today was the Rev bill. Ii was anti.
cipated that the debate on this meas
IRE would consume the greater pare
of the day.
Delegate j. NJ Lewis. of Essex,
made the initial speech for the Rev
bin. He declared that the measure
was II meriiorions one and would
benefit practically the whole tidewa-
Ter section. The interests opposing
IL were comparatively small.
Gaines Gives Statistics.
Mr.. Gaines, of Norfolk, spoke for
The bill. He argued thar the pack
ing plant interests, controlled by n
few persons, alone would suffer if the
bill passed. Replying to the arg,l-
meni that a vast number of persons
would be thrown ont OF employment,
he gave some statistics. The wages
paid to male employees by the crab
packers. he stated. range from SIS
10 $50 month, while the women are
paid for their labor from 81 to IS
Il month The men who performed
the hardest labor. he said, were paid
SIS. The men who owned the nets
with which the crabs were taken
got the $50. He said he had been
informed that only about 400 men
and women were given employment
nj the Hampton plant. the largest
in the world.
More Taxes Are Levied.
Mr.. Byrd followed Mr.. Gaines. He
offered an amendment to the Rev
bill, the effect OF which is to impose
tax upon the crab packers fishing
boats This tax would enable the
State to derive annually about 5000
of revenue from this source, Mr..
Byrd said, where heretofore the sum
of only $l4 has been paid.
Mr.. Rev said the supporters of the
crab bill would willingly accept the
amendment.
THE developments OF the last few
minutes said Mr.. Ohurchman, ris
ing. convince me that the proper
course to pursue in this mater is to
refer the subject to the finance com
mittee for proper adjustment OF
taxation"
Rev Becomes Excited.
Mr.. Rev objected II was inform
ed several days ago" he said, that
the opposition intended to resort to
diiatOry tactics"
Mr.. Churchman denied that he had
any knowledge of a deliberate inten
lion to employ dilatory tactics.
Mr. Fuller protested against the
proposition to recommit the Rev bill
TO the finance committee. He insist
ed in vigorous speech that It. was
the duty Of the house to dispose Of
the bill today.
A motion to recommlt the bill wa.
then offered and defeated. The qnes
ton on the amendment was put anl