Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-09-12
0ysfermen Openly Violate The
Gull Law For Protection
OF Young Oysters
Appeal To Governor
He Sends Commander OF Oyster
Navy To Worcester Waters
To Stop The Raid.

This has been an exciting week with
the oystermen and in fact with most
of the citizens of Worcester County,
because Of the violation of the oyster
law which prohibits the taking of
oysters under q inches.
1t was apparent week or more ago
that there was considerable unrest
among our oystermen. it being the de-
sire of many togo to work on the young
catch of oysters with which the natural
rocks of the Sinepuxent bay are covered.
Last year there was the greatest catch
of oysters here that has been known
for over twenty years, and the oyster
men have had their eyes on them all
the year When the season opened on
the first of September, there We're
rumors that men intended to take the
law into their own hands and go to work
on the young catch. Other men en-
gagged in the business were opposed to
this, claiming that if these young oy-
sters were let alone for another year
the increase would be so great that
they could well afford to wait.
No amount of argument or persuasion
could stop some of the men, and on
Monday nearly hundred Of them went
to work taking oysters illegally.
Sheriff Calvin Townsend, Deputies
Gordon Bowen and William Scott went
among the men and tried to dissuade
them Most of the men appealed to
By Mr. Scott finally threw overheard
their oysters and were getting ready
to 20 home. when they saw other boats
coming down the bay loaded with oy-
sters. They then said 1--WE are going
to work on them in the morning. as
we might as well get our share of the
oysters" while they are obtainable.
Since that time a hundred or more men
have been hard at work taking the
young oysters and it is claimed that a
man can make from $50 to $40 per day.
States Attorney Johnson having been
informed by the sheriff that he was I'M
able to stop the depredations communi-
Gated the fact to Governor Crothers,
and Commander Howard of the oyster
police, has been ordered here to lead in
restoring order. Over the telephone
the Governor announced that he would
send all aid that may be needed, ana
that he would have Captain Howard $
men do their utmost to prevent further
violations
Mr. Johnson's telegram to Governor
Crothers was
fragrant violations of the oyster
laws in Sinepuxent Bay local au-
thorities defied can you send aid
Am writing.
The Governor replied
Telegram received will send aid
upon request OF sheriff and state
ment that he is unable to cope with
situation.
AUSTIN l.. CROTHERS.
The request for statement from the
Sheriff was complied with Wednesday
when Sheriff c. + Townsend sent the
Governor the following telegram
Condition in Sinepuxent Bay be-
yond my control. State aid needed.
c. +. TOWNSEND.
Most of the Illegal longing is on what
is known as natural rock and is open for
all to take oysters over p inches. Many
of those engaged in taking the small
oysters are doing so to use them to
plant on bottoms where they are engag-
ed in cultivatipg oysters. One reason
the people of the county are so eager
for a restoration of respect for the law
is fear that disregard for the Gull law
will lead to further lawlessness.
So far the law prohibiting longing at
night has been utterly defied by nearly
all those who are defying the other law.
The next steps. it is feared will be the
use Of powerboats, the dredging of the
bottoms and raids upon private oyster
beds. Already reports OF isolated viola
tons of this kind have been received by
Sheriff Townsend.
A telegram has been received here
saying that the Governor had sent Cap
tain Tom Howard. commander of the
oyster navy. to Ocean City. where he
is expected to arrive at noon today
friday and with several of his depu-
ties will secure a gasoline boat and visit
the scenes of depredations. and if he
finds any men violating the law he will
deal with them as the law prescribes
II is safe to say that he will find very
few. if any. men at work as they know
of his coming and will keep out of the
way.
Sheriff Townsend and States Attor-
ney Johnson declare that those who
have violated the law are known. and
49, 49,. ..tsn L.. ae....t.I