Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-11

expected climax In the oyster war was
postponed yesterday. much to the disap-
pontment of States Attorney johnson
and the advocates of enforcement
The failure of Commander Howard OF
the state oyster fleet to arrive and the
absence of Sheriff Townsend In Baltimore
We're the causes. With several deputies
at his command. States Attorney John
son kept up his show Of force In the face
of the defying oystermen. Deputy Sheriff
Gordon c. Bowen made a trip in a gaso-
line launch over the greater part of Sine
puXent bay yesterday afternoon. In some
places men were seen to throw loads
overheard. 1t is supposed that these Were
understood oysters. Everywhere he
was treated with courtesy, and the can
dor of some of the violators Of the law
was surprising. The oystermen explained
that they We're taking the small oysters
because if they did not some others would
Mr.. johnson received telegram from
Commander Howard. who was then at
Crisfield He advised Mr.. Johnson he
would reach Ocean City today and pro-
coed to the scene of action by boat down
the SinepuXent bay.
200 Militiamep Available if Needed.
Although the governor believes that
Capt. Howard and his men will be able to
solve the trouble he has informed him
that if it is necessary detachment of
the state militia will be sent to Worcester
county He conferred with Adjt. Gen..
Warfield. who told him that he was pre-
pared to send 200 men to the scene of
the trouble.
II hope that the state and local authori-
ties will be able to cope with the situa-
tion," said the governor, "but If 1 find
that they cannot. then l will not hesitate
to call out the militia. This is not the
first time that the preserves have been
raided, but upon other occasions the law
breakers have always been arrested and
prosecuted solely by the local and state
authorities
The governor was astonished when he
learned that Sheriff c. E. Townsend of
Worcester county hau left the scene of
trouble with an insane patient who
was to be placed in a state asylum. Con-
frOnted with this trouble the governor
said that it was the duty of the sheriff
to be home breaking up the raiding. He
could have easily sent the insane patient
to Baltimore in charge of deputy.
Warrants Out for Thirty-Eight Men.
The sheriff left for home in the after
noon and before his departure he said
that he would try to arrest the raiders.
DO you know the men who are vio-
lating the law" he was asked.
Yes. there are about thirty-eight of
them and 1 personally know every one"
Have warrants been issued for their
arrest?'
Yes. They are now in the office of
the states attorney
Why didn't you arrest the menu
Il did go out after them, but they all
got together and said that if l took one
I had to take all. and I knew that it
was impossible. They also threatened to
put it on me-
What did you do then?'
Il went ashore and went on home"
Didn't the men go ashore at nights,
and couldn't you arrest them them"
Yes, but 1 would have had to go on
foot and that was impossible"
Did you meet any of them ashore?"
Yes"
why didn't you arrest them them
Had tried to arrest those fellows they
would have kicked the stuffingS out Of
me-" said the sheriff.
wouldn't the law-abiding people Of
the county help you to make the ar
reSt?'
They told me that the men should be
arrested. but they were afraid to help me
to organize a posse, number of them
own private beds and they were scared
that il they tried to break up the raids
that the raiders would scoop up the oys-