Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-03

thus throwing the protecting arm of
the law about the lobster, was actuat-
Cd by selfish motives, in allowing the
lobster to grow until he was large
enough to eat and then eating him. In
the early stages of the law, while it
afforded some protection for the lob
ster, it was not what could be called
successful, for while wardens were APP
pointed to look after the fishermen and
prevent them from selling Holsters less
than the length required by law,
and We're Jealous and faithful
in their duty so far as they were
able. but the fishermen We're equally
Jealous in their quest for the almighty
| dollar. paying no attention to the size
| # the lobster. and it was a game of
| hide and seek between them and the
wardens, with the odds in favor of the
| fishermen. And with this condition of
| affairs the summer visitors continued
| to have all the Holsters that they
wanted.
The change which has been brought
about is due to the perfection of the
| law in part. and also to the fact that
| the fishermen themselves have awak-
oncd to the fact that by the wholesale
| killing of Holsters of less than lo12
| inches in length they were slowly put
| surely rutting themselves out or pus-
mess and destroying an industry when
gives employment to hundreds along
| the Maine coast. as well as that or
| New England.
To that end they have organized and
| pledged themselves not to sell the
shorts" as the little Holsters are
| called and also TO inform against
| anyone caught in the practice. In this
| way they are rendering valuable as
sistance to the commissioner of sea
| and share fisheries and his wardens,
| and in fact every fisherman OF the
union is warden himself 1t is this
| action on the part of the fishermen
| that has created n difference in the
| lobster situation and has caused an APP
! parent scarcity in the supply of lob
| STEERS among the summer resorts, and
| has changed their place on the bill of
| Of fare at the hotels from that among
the regular dishes to an occasional APP
pearance among the entrees. 1t is
source of much disappointment to the
summer visitors. but if the men who
once sold short Holsters won't catch
Them and if the propretors of the no.
tells and boarding houses can't afford
to serve their guests with count lob
sters which cost % cents each at the
nrice charged ner week for board, there
Is only one thing to DO N1WlVgulS
In speaking Of the lobster Industry
yesterday, Commissioner Lyons of the
bureau Of Industrial and labor statis-
Tics. spoke very Interestingly. The COM
lalosivner is collecting data regarding
the industry to be used in his forth
coming report. and in connection there
with will also give 4 history of the
Lobster Fishermen's National Pro-
tectivc Association, and of the subor-
dinate branches Of which it is COM
posed. This association was organized
carly in the present year. although the
local organizations have been in exist
ence for several years.
There are in Maine at present about
&c branches Of the union. extending
from Millbridge to Boothbay and with
n membership of about 1000. and the
purpose of the organization is to pro-
tect the industry. which at the same
time protects the lobster. The member
ship is increasing as the men at the
western section of the coast recognize
athe benefits realized by those at the
eastern section from being members.
and it IS expected that the ultimate re-
suit Of the organization will be to prac-
tically stop the sale of the short lob
ster. MIR. Lyons reports that the fish
ermen are cooperating with Commits
sioner James DonOhue of the sea and
shore fisheries and that official is much
pleased with the working of the or
ganization. In some of tho localities
along the coast where the fishermen
are NOT organized and the warden is
not given assistance there is no doubt
that the law is still being violated to
some extent.
Commissioner Lyons has recently re-
turned from his home in Vinalhaven.
and reports that tho lobster fishermen
in that vicinity state that they have
had 4 very good season. although there
is a slack time at present. due to the
fact that the Holsters are shedding their
shells. There are. he said. about $50
fishermen at Ninalha ven. and he found
that the law was generally regarded
He also stated that the benefit of the
law was shown in the large number Of
short Holsters observed.
Announcement is made at the ed
ucational department that a meeting
Of the principals of the four Normal
schools and of the Madawaska Train
ing School will be held at the office of
Supt. Smith Of the public schools Of
Maine. at the Capitol. on Thursday.
Aug 13. and will be the first of a series.
Hon. A. W. Gilman of Foxrroft, who
has been in Montana for short time
past on matters of business arrived in
the CITY Thursday evening and was ut