Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-09-23
----'-------
FISHERIES CONGRESS,
More Than 500 Delegates Attending
Session at Washington.

2uSslon marked the proceedings of the
International Fishery Congress which
began its sessions here today When tine
question of the effect OF the fisheries
nf heavy gun firing by men-oi-W;:r. VA:
Unexpectedly brought up. The discus
sion arose when a communication was
read to the congress from the comrlis-
sioner of inland fisheries at rovilence
which had been sent to the lattt1 by
Robert Aldrlch & Co., fish trappers anC
traWlers at Wexford r. |. The belief
was expressed in the letter that the
continued firing for a Week of the
heavy guns at Fort Preble has a Sc
rious effect on the squeteague fisheries
in West bay. 1t was stated also that
the firing of the guns had resulted ir
driving this particular species of 1isk
from those waters and the hope was
expressed that the congress would take
up the matter for discussion and inves-
tigation. The communication enliveilcd
the proceedings and provoked EXTENDED
debate. 1t was decided to appoint
committee of three to investigate tn,
que stion What Effect has Heavy Gun
Firing on the Fisheries?''
George F. Squires of Virginia spoke
haden fisheries as result of the gur
firing of the battleship fleet during the
jamestown Exposition. An expert from
the United States bureau of fisheries
was called upon and he said that so
far as investigation by the bun eau o.
fisheries had been carried on, it had not
been shown that the firing of guns mad
any serious effect on the fisheries, but
- taf,
light should be thrown.
While this question was the most in
teresting from the public viewpoint
other subjects of Importance were dis
cussed by the congress. They We're i'll
tcrnational regulation of the fisheries
on the nigh seas and the necessity for
the increase of and protection Of the
fisheries ana Holsters. The principal
speaker was Secretary Straus of the
department of commerce and labor.
1t was the opinion of Prof Edward
f Prince. Dominion commissioner of
fisheries of ottawa that the conclusion
recently Of a fisheries treaty between
this country and Canada Was the great
est step that had ever been taken iii the
way of Inc proper conservation and
the building up of the industry in the
Great Lakes
Give the Holsters protection at sea
and little chance to grow said James
Donahue, state commissioner pt S''a and
shore fisheries of Maine, and there is
no question but that we will have
plenty of holsters to supply the entire
! country at fair prices. He declared
| that holsters were on the increase on
the Maine coast, and there need be no
| fear Of lack of lobsters
| MANY foreign countries and prac-
| tically every state and terri
| tory in the union are repre-
| sented by delegates in attendance uopn
tie fourth international fisheries con-
sress. which met here today. Its ses-
sions will continue for five days. More
| than 500 delegates representing foreign
government societies and organza-
| tions and others, were present.
AS a prelude to the opening of the
| congress-, the foreign delegates assem-
bled in the diplomatic room OF the
state department and were received by
Secretary of state Root in the diplo-
matte reception hall After this pre-
lmlnary all of the delegates repaired
to the hall of the National Geographic
| Society, where the congress was FORM
ally opened. The meeting was presid-
| ed over by George NJ Bowers, United
| state commissioner of fisheries. Sec
| rotary traus of the department OF COM
merce and labor, delivered AN address
of welcome on behalf of the United
States government.
Secretary Straus was introduced inn
mediately after the opening OF the con-
gress.
The principal business transacted at
tl,e morning session was the ratifica-
4 tior of the nominations of officers who
were selected at preliminary meet
ing last night. The officers follow:
President Prof. Hermon c. Bumpus
director general of the museum of ma
tural history, New York City; secre-
tary general, DR.. Hugh NJ. Smith, depu
tx Tnited states commissioner of fish.
cries.
. The vice presidents represent all the
:. principal nations Of the world.