The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-23
IMPORTANCE OF
CARING FOR FISH
Fisheries Congress Assemblies
In Washington
SECRETARY ST2AUS TALKS
Fisheries Industry Has Been One That
Has Brought Wealth to the Nation
and 1t Should Be Well
Cared For.
SECRETARY ST2AUS TALKS

Washington. September 22.-Many for
eien countries and practically every
state and territory in the union are rep
resented by delegates in attendance upon
the fourth International fisheries con-
gress. which met here today. The ses-
sions will continue for five days More
than 500 delegates, representing foreign
Governments. societies and organizations
and American states and territories are
in attendance. As prelude to the open
ing If the congress the foreign delegates
assembled in the dimplomatic room OIL
the state department and were received
nv Secretary of State Root in the diplo-
matte reception hall. After this pre-
liminary the delegates repaired TO the
hall of the Geographic society, where
the congress was formally opened. Inc
meeting was presided over by George
NJ Bowers. United States commissioner
Of fisheries. Secretary straus of the de-
partment of commerce and labor dellV-
cred an address of welcome on pehalI
of the United States government; Henry
L. West. commissioner of the District OF
Columbia, welcomed the delegates TO the
city. and Hugh NJ Smith. president OF
the American Fisheries society, eXtenoed
a greeting on behalf of that society A
rasnonse in the name of the foreign dele
gates was made by Prof. II. P. c. Hoeck'
scientific fishery adviser of the Dutch
government.
Following the ratification OF the eiec-
ton of the president and secretary-geh-
eral of the congress, Prof. Herman =
Bumpous, the president assumed the
chair. This was followed by ballotinS
for the election of vice presidents ana
other officers and the appointment Oh
various committees The congress TOOK
a. recess after which the delegates gain"
cred at the New Willard hotel, where
subsequent sessions will be held.
Secretary straus was introduced imme-
diately after the opening of congress.
The principal business transacted at
the morning session was the ratification
of the nomination of officers. who were
elected at a preliminary meeting last
night. The officers follow;
President Prof Herman c. Bumpous
director general of the Natural Museum
of History, New York city.
Secretary general, DR.. Hugh M. Smith,
deputy United States commissioner of
fisheries.
Vice presidents include representatives
from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
Guatemala. Italy, Japan, Mexico, The
Netherlands, Peru, Roumanla, Sweden,
England, Germany and the United States.
straus Makes Speech.
Secretary straus said:
Gentlemen of the International Fish
cries Congress:
at is my high privilege as Secretary OF
Commerce and Labor, of which the bu-
reau of fisheries is a part, to extend a
hearty welcome ON behalf of this gov
eminent to this the fourth international
fishery congress.
From the earliest times water life has
been of great concern to man in that
it supplied one of the most important and
healthy articles of food, and the INDUS
try for the procuring of this great staple
of nourishment is one of the leading oc-
cupations that the inhabitants of the
world in all stages of their development
have been engaged in, and consequently
the subject of fish-catching has been one
of great national and international con-
Germ.
Last spring, President Roosevelt, in his
wisdom and foresight, invited the gov
errors of all the states and territories III
this country to meet here in Washing
ton and to discuss the questions OF the
conservation of the nations natural re-
sources-the land, the forests, the waters
and the minerals This international con-
gress which has as one of its main OBJ
jects the conservation and the culture
of fish life, is in full accord with that
constructive craftsmanship which today
commands the attention of the scientists,
philosophers and statesmen of all the en-
lightened nations of the world. AS our
civilization advances and our needs be-
come greater and science equips us with
the power to take more and more from
the natural resources that land and
water produce, 1t Is fortunate that science
also Is able to point out the way in which
these resources can be protected from eX-
haustion and even replenished, by wise
use and culture.
Importance of Fisheries.
1.-THE fisheries have been to us in this
country of the highest Importance, not
only as an important article of food sup
ply, but as an industry from the very be-
ginning of our history.
New England, during the early colonial
period, had almost no manufactures, and
practically its only exports were lumber
and dried fish. When sailed or cured.
even those seemed to excite thirst, and
perhaps it was for that reason that their
vessels that carried the fish to the West
Indies brought back in exchange lib
eral supply of rum, molasses and sugar.
| To what extent this liberal supply of rum
; in the early history of New England has
| contributed to the prohibition movement
| that has recently developed into such an
| important political issue. 1 know not,
| but they surely can say, historically
| speaking, Lord, we have had our fill.'
I'm conclusion. gentlemen, permit mo
| to add that there is no greater evidence
of the enlightened modern spirit and the
bond that unites the nations of the world
into one great brotherhood than these in
ternational congresses, wherein the states
men and men of affairs come together to
advance and promote the welfare and
happiness of mankind. 1 bespeak for you
every success in your learned delibera-
| tons
Fires Fierce as Ever.
Duluth, September 22.-Vessels just ar