Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-09-02
JAMES RIVER OYSTERS.
Editorial On that Subject From the
Newport News Times-iera!d.

About two years ago the newspapers
OF Newport News were bewailing oys-
ter conditions in the James, and the
Chamber of Commerce of that city took
the matter up. One editor. w. s.
Copeland. of the Times Herald. not
satisfied with ''hearsay'', began a per-
sonal study of conditions there and in
two years has visited the oyster
grounds . number of times. looked into
the practical side OF planting and tong
ing and heard evidence on all sides
Last week, when the little stir occur
red on the river. Mr.. Copeland visited
the tongers and heard all the conferen-
ces. Here is an editorial he now writes
on the subject as the result of his two
years study:
Say what you may about the admin
istration of Mcdonald Lee, Commits
sloner of Fisheries, he has saved the
oyster beds of James river from de-
struction and there will be more oysters
on the natural rock next season than
in any season during the last twenty
years. The native stock in York river
had been destroyed when Mr.. Lee
came into office FIVE years ago, and
much of the natural rock in the James
had been taken away. In few years
1t would have been as barren as the
York had the depredations continued,
but Mr.. Lee came to the rescue and
saved it. II has cost pile of money
and diligent effort to accomplish it, but
it was worth while. The tOngers are
now cooperating with the Commission
er and depredations are of rare occur
renee. Mr.. Lee, assisted 10y Inspector
Lawson and others of his staff, has
, saved the oysters and is entitled to full
credit. The tongers recognize his ser
vice and will get the benefit of it next
season. Their complaint just now is
that planters are treSpassing and that
, in some cases natural rock has been
assigned them. That is all true. but.
az we have previously pointed out, this
| abuse is due TO the system When the
| Baylor Survey was made, natural rock
| in many places was left out and plant
Crs lost no time In taking it up. I'm
der the law all such rock could have
! been reclaimed TO the state under court
proceedings taken within six months
after the Baylor Survey went into eff
feet In a few cases this was done; in
others it was not done and as the plant.
I y
| tract for period of twenty years from
date of lease. there is no way to dis
turb them. The only thing that tho
Commission can do is TO prevent then
from extending their stakes beyonC
the borders of their assignment anC
this. of course. will be done. Every
such trcspasSer should be punished e
the full extent of the law for hi.
offcnse. Every bushel of oysters taker
by planter illegally is robbery. Their,
is no other word for it. And robbery i,
theft. But so long as the planter ope
rates within the bounds assigned hin
under contract he is entitled To full
protection OF law and must receive it.
But under existing conditions it is
hard to prevent such trespass. No liv
| ing man knows the lines of the Baylor
Survey. They have been destroyed
and IT is a giants task to keep law.
less planters within bounds. To make
a re-survcy costs money. and even after
\ n has becn made the planter NAV 90
cut the following night and extend his
stakes IT. is practically impossible "a
make the markings permanent. That
| rs why the tougers are SO indignant.
That is why they took the law into
their own hands. The case is one that
calls for drastic measures and while we
do not wink at lawlessuesS, and while
| it would he gross injustice TO pull the
stakes of planter who was within
bounds, they really assist the authori-
ties when they pull the stakes of man
who is trespaesing on the public domain
and robhing the state. The tongers as
body are obeyipg the law. There are
few poachers here and there, but the
tongers are as hot after them as the
authorities are. They are keeping
faith with the Commission and they
have organized law and order associ-
alton. The next step is to deal with
the lawless planter. IL planters are
allowed TO work the natural rock in the
closed season. the tongeSE will not sub.
nit TO the outrage.