Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-24
GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE
NEW OYSTER SURVEYS
First Will Be Made in May and Sec
ond in September-No Expense
to State.

RICHMOND, VA. AlTil 23.-ln Or
der that there may be fina! settle
inCnt of the dong existing dispute be-
tween the oyster planters and ton
gers as to what natural rocks in the
James river are depleted, and what
proportion of those SO depleted. II
any, can be rcplcnishCd and made
to produce seed oysters naturally, the
United States Fish Commissioner has
agreed to make two surveys OF all
these rocks at different times.
Governor Swanson received let
ter yesterday from United States
Commissioner George NJ. Bowers say
ing that she first survey would be
made in May. after the season for
taking oysters is over. ard the other
in September, when it reopens. so as
to ascert2 n the true condition at
10th PERIODS
At Governors Request.
These surveys will be made at the
instance Of Governor Swanson and
the State Commission of Fisheries.
and all the expense will be borne tT
he Federal government. The COVER
nor was highly gratified to receive
the information that his request had
been granted and that the tests
would be made and completed with
in the present year. so that the data
might be laid before the next session
Of the General Assembly with such
recommended :Ons as the governor and
the commission may deem proper. in
order to settle the matter once and
for all.
There has been bitter warfare be-
tween the planters and tOngers ~ope
rating in James river ever since The
Baylor lines were run as to what
rocks were barren, and It is the earn
est hope of the governor and all
others concerned that the tests which
the United States government has
agreed to make will lead to a final
and satisfactory settlement OF the long
existing controversy.
II comes up in some form az ever.
session of the Legislature, and the
Commission of Fi-heries hrs heard
countless disputes as to what rocks
in the river were barren. Moreover
r.reseut conditions. unsettled as they
are, have kert up the b:ttereSt feel
ing between the two factions fol
manv wears. Tho United States Com
missioner appears to be taking deer
interest in the matter. and II is be
Heved that his investigation will b.
thorough in every detail.
Give Facts to Legislature.
II Is tho opinion Of experts on the
rrIbjcCt that to survey all tho nafuT7
rocks in thn river IT two different 70
RODS is the unly proper and arcura''
method Of arriving at the act'rsi con
di,ions existing
II is eNICctsd thai after the Sep
fembcr survey X completed, Commis
sioncr Bowers will prepare and sub
NIT TO the Governor an exhaustive r.
port. Th'= report will tc careful,
examined NV the governor and tbs
ComTniss on III Fisheries. and the,
will agrrc upon important rccDnmcn
dations TO the Legislature, vhich th'
governor will cmbody in his message
to that body.
There Is no more prrplcxing qucs
ton than that ~rncCrning oysters 10
fore tho Legislature At rarh rccur
ring scSsion, and the forces frou
Tidcwarcr are always divided a. w.
tween tho fonccr ard the planter
Oysters enter into ncarly every csm
Saycn for tho senate and House n
DcIcgssrs IN that scction. and a
sron a. tho mrmhrrs who arr sfr
ccxs!uI arrive IN Richmond and talk
the oath of Office. They begin ag!ia
ton rf The question. Indications nov
roinf tn srnlc swcrpinr chanEcs Il
existing laws on tho subjcct al th
scssiou W isia. nn, the ISsssi irupcr
.ant III whSh promises ~ AFFECT pres
mi conditions In lauprs river