Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-17
stan oorIs,BondeDes Of lT.ry EvonInr

Delaware City, March 17.-Alexander
B. Cooper and William S. Hilles, COM
missoners for Delaware in the dispute
with New Jersey over the boundary line
IN the Delaware River, met with the resi-
dents Of this place, in Mulligan's Hall,
last evening, Tor the purpose OF ascer-
tanning the ideas and wishes OF the fisher
men here in relation to the laws desired
BY them Charles G. Guyer took steno-
graphic notes. Commissioner Hayes was
unable TO attend
The meeting was called TO order at
o'clock by Mr.. Cooper, who stated the
object to be the gathering Of information
IN order 70 aid the commissioners in draft
Ing uniform and at the same time salts
tactory laws, for the States Of Delaware
and New Jersey in relation 10 fishing
/ The chairman presented a paper drafted
for the purpose and had upon the paper
the important points which the commits
sion desired information upon
About so persons were present, includ-
ing I Bayard Heisel, president Of the viii
| rnington, New Castle and Southern Rail-
way: Mayor Smith, Former Mayor Amos
n. Collins Capt. George ReybQld Con-
stable Householder and others, also.
George Pustil of New Castle
The open season for shad was agreed
upon as a. New Castle on Wednesday
evening, from March lst until June lst.
IN place Of from March 10th until June
10th. The restriction Of shad fishing To
keep the fishermen one mile outside of
any river or stream emptying upon the
| Delaware River was considered unfair
and unreasonable and was desired stricken
out. The question called forth much
comment. Frank Hickman, William
Givinson OF Port Penn and Joseph Ander-
son Of this place stated that the fishermen
could not fish with such a law. Mr.
Anderson, who is well versed, stated that
the law was enacted for the benefit of
Kent and Sussex counties, but was a
State law. Tho object OF the law was to
benefit the men having haul seines. Mr.
| Givinson thought the law unfair. The
size OF the mesh was placed at not less
than ) inches The length OF the net
was readily settled at "fishing all the net
they could fish"
How long during the week a man should
| fish or during what hours was disposed of
| by deciding "to allow the law to stand as
1t now is, beginning after the stroke of
midnight and fishing until S o'clock on
Saturday night The settlement was
effected after much talk and discussion.
gressive in fighting against the idea passed
upon by the New Castle fishermen to
start at a. m. and stop at Z D. m. during
week days, except Saturday, when the
day should close at noon. He claimed
that the fishing was different in the
vicinity of Delaware City and Port Penn.
The fishermen from Marcus Hook, Will
mington, New Castle, New Jersey and all
points come TO this locality and over
5000 nets would come south of this place
TO fish, including the nets from Port Penn,
Alloway's Creek, Augustine, Blackbird
and Stony Point He claimed the season
was short and last year ended on May
22d. He considered Saturday the best
OF all days on account of so many taking
the day of and on two Saturdays last
season he cleared one-third of the seasons
money
r. s. Yearsley talked in like manner
and claimed that he also made his best
catches on Saturday.
Joseph Anderson said: "My expert
ence has been that Saturday has been the
best day, although Mondays have also
been good days"
On motion Of Mr.. Anderson, seconded
by George Duncan, light house keeper
at Port Penn, the season was allowed to
nNdiAu ~ ullOtl iiC DItctul law,
r. II. Nearsley stated that tired fisher
men or those too old to fish were the only
ones needing a short day law
Frank Hickman claimed that the fisher
men could not afford to put $500 into
boat and net if the New Castle idea was
to be made law The high boat at Port
Penn last year only shipped ZIG FISH to
Philadelphia markets, and fished every
tide possible eXcept Sunday
IL was decided to cast the nets as has
been the custom for years and make no
change relative 20 how far apart one net
must be laid of from another r. II.
Hearsley said he never heard of such a
thing as limit TO keep nets away from
each other. Ii was stated that il would
be impossible TO regulate such law or
carry il out II made, because some fisher
men fished with less lead than others and
the lighter loaded nets hoated faster than
the others and consequently one would
foul the other
Pound fishing was condemned by Mr..
Anderson who claimed the pounds de-
Etroyed the fishing industry and the com
missioners were requested 70 have a
stringent law passed upon the use of
grounds and preventing their existence
IA the bay or river. Stake nets were also
ftQutcttu HfoilOllcO.
In relation to herring. II was decided
TO let them 70 without further law.
The closed season for carp was settled
upon as May June July and August.
The mesh for carp shall not be less than
SIS inches
The sturgeon question was matter Of
much discussion and stirred up a hornet
nest. Frank Hickman suggested that
the fish should be feet in length at least
20 be lawful catches. in place Of 6 feet,
40 suggested az the Wednesday evening
meeting,
Mr.. Anderson said he handled in one
year over 2,500 sturgeon. OF Is on the
wharf last season some measured feet
and did not weigh over 35 pounds A
sturgeon S feet in length would not weigh
over 20 pounds a roe sturgeon must be
Z yesrs old before spawning
Mr.. Hickman said: II have fshed for
a week and as high as 10 days. but during
those periods failed TO catch a sturgeon.
r.. 5. NeaIsley claimed that the lO-inch
mesh was large enough for sturgeon and
a 4-toot sturgeon large enough
Mr.. Anderson contended that a 10
inch mesh was too small but would catch
hsh that were good enough for market
II was decided to advise tho use OF a
I0-inch mash for sturgeon