The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-13
IA SHELL FISH
COMMISSION
III Is Urged for Ala
bama.
HOLD MEETING IN MOBILE
bohn Wallace Enthusiastic Over
the Prospects.
state shsula Assume Some Regulates
over the oyster Beds for the
Protectien OF That
Industry.
HOLD MEETING IN MOBILE

On his return yesterday from New
york, Hon. John n. wallace. Jr.. was
seuthusiastic In his belief that Alabama
SHOULD at the earliest date possible pro-
vide her people with q Shell Fish Com
mission for the conservation sof what
could be one of her most valuable re-
isources. He reached this conclusion
after having attended the frst annual
Of Shell Fish Commissioners.
Speaking in detail on the subject.
Commissioner Wallace said that II
would be practicable to have the Ala
bama Commission composed OF three
members. The chairman. or president.
@houid be ex-oficio the Commissioners
should be. one a practical civil engi-
neer. and the other practical expert
ssnced oyster man. It would be good
idea. he thinks, for the former to re-
side in Mobile County and the latter to
reside in Baldwin County. or vice
versa.
influential citizens of Mobile that Mr.
kVailace was appointed as delegate
"a the convention in New York. May
land g. The Commercial Club OF that
city. through Its president. John Graft.
Mrked the Immediate necessity OF leg
6slation to prevent the alleged vandai-
scoastal lines, and to SO regulate their
fpperation as to build up the industry
for the benefit OF Alabama. 1t - be-.
1ieved that psoper supervision over this
industry by the State would result In
the beginning Of prosperous canning
fanferprise. which would tend to keep
within the STAKES border the surplus
oyster supply. instead of shipping them
20 the canneries OF Biloxi and other
points.
III is most remarkable fact" con-
finued Mr., wallace. that the shell hsh
Industry of Alabama has heretofore
been prosecuted In q most reprehenst-
HE. indiscreet and haphazard manner.
Tandals have preyed at liberty upon
che states reefs, and have depleted
the oyster beds In many places, almost
Eso the point OF exterminatip
nThe conservation OF the shell fish Of
the salt waters Of Alabama r. an in
question:. Adequate legislation should
~ speedily enacted which viii con-
Template State control of the oyster
beds lying In State waters. and care
should be had that they are not longer
vandalixed in the future as they are
now and have been In the past
~The leasing systef tor q term OF
years, seems to be In high favor In the
states Of Maryland, New Jersey and
Rhode Island Under this plan. Ger.
tain state lands lying under water are
leased to persons for the purpose Of
planting out, propagating ana gather
Ing oysters. IT has been found that the
Weld az the beds has been largely in-
creased ana that better quality o.
oysters is produced at cheaper price
than formerly.
aAIi legisiation Of this nature was
resisted at the beginning by oyster
sharks who prosecuted relentless cam
nairus Of determination against BIZ
valves. but now the most bitter oppo-
nents to the movement of State con-
troll are enthusiastically. favorable to
khe present excellent system.
nTt Il important that the oyster be
cared for by State regulation. just the
same as game. fish and forest ana ]