The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-24
there and There
IN the Legislature

lpeake Bay need not fear for the con-
Itinunnce for the next two years OF their
industry, so far as Legislative action IS
concerned The Curtis bill. which
would have put this enterprise out OF
business in the bay, was indefinitely
passed by yesterday AFTERNOON by INC
Committee on the Chesapeake and It's
Tributaries of the House.
Captain Curtis's bill prohibited the
taking of fish for the purpose OF max
Ing oil or fertilizer west Of g line
drawn southwark from Cape Henry
Lighthouse. The effect would have
been to restrict menhaden fishing to
the ocean waters.
Vigorous opposition was waged by
fertilizer manufacturers. Captain FISH
er, ole of them. asserted that practi-
cally no food fish are taken In the
mcnhaden boats. In fact. he declared.
for four years not enough edible fish
were caught to feed the crews. he
was willing to consent that heavy
line be imposed If the nenhnden Usher
men cought per cent. OF food fish. MS
"a matter OF fact, he said, they do not
catch ono-tenth Of per cent.
Scarcity of Fish.
CAPTAIN Curtis explained that he had
been asked to Introduce the bill for
tho protection of people in that sec
ton who largely live by fishing with
hook and line, and who complain
that fish arc growing scaroer because
nl lIlt lltiiitStbUtl llEIlltlt- Il Nlilt tisiitJ
Is true. said the patron, il is best 10
put out OF business the ten or twelve
fertilizer factories on the Chesapeake
than TO deprive the poor men OF wliat
nature has given them.
One of the manufacturers said that
the increase OF population and the
multiplying OF methods of distribution
to inland places has caused the scare
ity of fish, il they We're really scarce,
He said, as O matter Of fact. that more
Sb,ll would ia rntIrhf la
pahannock this spring than in any
five years n quarter OF century ago.
More people catch fish than used to
do so.
Argument was also made as TO the
number OF people who would be thrown
out of employment by the closing of
the fertilizer factories.
III executive session the committee
killed the BILL
The, bill appointing state Library
Organizer Was advocated Yesterday
morning before the House Committee
on Finance. 1t was argued that such
q man. going constantly into the COM
Inunities, would do vast deal of
good work IN the way of encouraging
the formation of public libraries. He
would also advise with the local au-
thorities az to effectual and econoni-
cal methods of operation.
Members of the Legislature got their
nrst graft out of the session yesterday
In the shape of samples of Aibemarle
pippins, distributed TO every one in the
chambers by the Virginia Fruit Grow
ers' Association. This organizat ion is
making an active fight for an appro-
priation to enable II to continue It's
state. On each members desk yester-
day morning was also u copy OF Tho
Dispatch In which an article re-
garding fruit growing IN. Virginia was
prominently marked with q blue pen
ell.
a bunch Of future statesmen and
stateswomen marched solemnly into
the hall of the House yesterday lust
before the beginning of the days ses-
sion. They walked down one aisle.
through the Speakers stand. and our
another aisle. Doubtless some one
OF the little girls in the procession
will some day. when suffragettes arc
in control. WELD tile gavel Of the pre-
siding officer.
STATE Veterinarian j. C. rernoyhougf
presented the case OF his department
10 the liouse Finance Committee yes
day morning. He now gets s3.000-for
he cattle quarantine, and he said that
inns mad not been sufficient TO par
lhe actual expenses of the Office. aside
ron rom preventing him from attending
interstate meetings OF veterinarians.
he had found that local authorities
would for the most part heartily CO.
operate with him, and he felt that his
work mad been emnently successful.
As an instance, when he began there
were thirtyrtwo Virginia counties be-
low the quarantine line. while nov.
there are only nine, and some of these
are soon TO be eliminated.
cdr. Ferneyhough asked for $500 for
MS departments. Other States in this
section. he showed, are appropriating.
much larger amounts for this work
Before the House Committee on
Counties, Cities and Towns to-day
there is to he heard the bill Of Mr..
Williams, of Giles, allowing City Coun-
lIibit the shipment into their resp,c-
tive territory of liduor. a hearing 7 $