Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-16
Member Iof Commission Of
Fisheries Mould increase Tax,
REVENUE is DECREASING
Planters Supplying Market OF Nat
uraI Rocks instead Of Private Reds
and It lie Claimed That They Will
Turn Land Back to State.

While nc definite action along that
line was taken, the State commission
of fisheries, in monthly session here
yesterday, seriously discussed the mat
ter OF increasing the license fees on
he tongers working on the public oys-
tier rocks In the rivers of the State. 1t
is claimed that this is necessary be-
cause the revenues of the State from
the oyster industry must necessarily
decrease with the increase in the sup
ply Of oysters on the natural rocks.
During the discussion of the matter
before the commission, the fact was
brought out that the planters this
year are supplying their trade from
the natural rocks instead OF from
their private beds as heretofore. The
members of the commission claim that
next year the planters will not plant
as much ground as they have in the
past, depending upon the supply on
the natural rocks. The surplus land
held by the planters will be turned
back to the State and the Common
wealth will lose the rentals On that
ground and the revenues from the
industry will decrease just that mucn.
Suggests Remedy.
Senator Bland Massie. of Nelson,
who is a member of the commission,
said after the meeting that he believes
the States, remedy is to he found in
increasing the tax on the tongers,
thus getting from the planters what
lis lost. He said that the other mem
bers of the commission took the same
view. II is probable that a recon-
mendation along this line will De
made to the next state legislature.
While the plan proposed by Senator
Massie will give the State additional
revenue from the planters, it also
will be an additional burden on the
private tongers. They claim that they
are scarcely able to make living
now, and ii is certain that they VIII
fight any proposal to increase the tax
on them.
Those attending the meeting OF the
commission were: Chairman W. Nc
Donald Lee Secretary 8. wilkins Mat
thews; George B. Kezell, Of Rocking
ham, and Bland Massie, of Nelson IN
spector W. z. lawson, OF Hampton;
NJ. =. Kilby. OF Nansemond, and c. II.
Muse, of York, also were present and
they report a plentiful supply Of oys-
tiers this season
Boutiful Supply.
Inspector Lawson reported that the
catch in James river above the eull
line is from thirty to forty bushels
day. and below the Gull line from
eighteen 10 twenty bushels per day.
This catch is for crew Of two men
and boy.
Within the past week prices Of mar
ket oysters have advanced from 70
cents to so cents per bushel. Oysters
in York river are bringing from IS
cents to 81 per bushel- While COM
mercial oysters are advancing, the
seed oysters are decreasing in price
and there is an abundant supply in
James river al from ~ 20 Is cents a
bushel
A report was received by the board
that Surveyor Ruediger is making sat
isfactorv progress on the resurvey OF
James river and that the survey VIII
be completed next spring The lines
are being marked with spruce pine
poles. fastened 20 se0-Pound anchors.
After the meeting OF the commits
sion. Chairmsn Lee and the other
members boarded the Commodore
nanrx and went 10 Norfolk