Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-04-24
TO BOOM VlR-
GINA OYSTERS.
Packers Association Formed at
Meeting in Norfolk.

lHe virginia oyster F2ckerS ASS0-
citation was organized last week at
meeting of more than eighty represen-
tatives from every part of the State in
which oysters are planted. H. C.
Rowe, of New Haven, Conn.,, who con-
trolls more oyster beds than any other
planter in the country, his holdings
covering about $4,000 acres, made an
interesting address. Other speeches
were made by Alfred Won Nyvenheim,
of Norfolk, Frank Darling, of Hamp-
ton, l.. Feuerstein, sof Norfolk, and
others. The meeting which was held
in the parlors of the Monticello hotel,
was very enthusiastic one, and the
greatest interest was shown in organ
izing the association.
Frank w. Darling, of Hampton, was
elected president; William Hemingway,
of Norfolk, vice-president, and S. S.
Keeling, of Norfolk, secretary and
treasurer.
A board of fifteen directors were
elected as follows: Alfred Won Nyven-
helm, of Norfolk; J. T. White, of Nor
folk; I. ]. McNeal, of Norfolk; B. P.
Miles, of Norfolk; NJ c. Armstrong,
of Hampton; DR.. Richardson, of West
Point; Messrs. Mears, Westcott, Bah
bitt, Wheaton and E. c. Jordan, of
the Eastern Shore; George Wainwright,
of Portsmouth; Tilton Conklin, of Nor
folk; L. Feuerstein, of Norfolk, and
MIR (.acliDl Of
1t is the purpose of this organization
to show the country that no better oys-
tiers exist than those found in Virginia,
and the union of all oyster men will
mean greater sale of Virginia oysters
and mutual protection for the packers.
Such movement should receive the
encouragement of tongmen, buyers,
and in fact every branch of the oyster
industry, as its success will mean bet
ter prices for Virginia stock.
At the organization meeting the
most prominent oyster packers and
planters in. Tidewater Virginia were
present. The York, Rappahannock,
James and Elizabeth river districts
were well represented, as was also the
Eastern Shore from Chincoteague to
Cape Charles.
The meeting was an enthusiastic one.
A constitution and bylaws were adopt-
ed and considerable business was trans
acted.
Among the features of the published
prospectus are the following:
ut is very important that all persons
that are interested in protecting the
oyster industry should join hands with
US, and help to make this Association a
success, as it is of vital interest to all
If we wish to have oysters protected
and Virginia hold her share of the in
dustry in the State as she has in the
past.
The conditions here at present are of
such serious nature that we feel sure
1t will be to your interest to join our
Association, and help restore the oys-
ter industry in this State.
THE sale of oysters for the past sea-
son has fallen off at least twenty-five
per cent, perhaps more, and this can be
accounted for TO certain extent by the |
many articles published in the press
about oysters being considered un-
healthy as food product. The ques-
tIca IS being agitated to such an extent |
that it has been found necessary to
form a national association to look af-
ter our interest, not only before Con-
gress, but to Offset the items that are
published throughout the country
against oysters.
while in nearly every section where
oysters are grown to any extent they
have State Associations for the pro-
lection Of the industry, here, where the
oyster in the past has been considered
one Of the leading industries, we have
no association and the Importance of
having one would be great benefit to
US all, as we can then be represented as
we should be when any important ques-
ton shall come before the National
Association"