The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-21

for the Commission OF Fisheries, wa:
on board the Maury. AS soon as the
oyster shoals were reached tongers by
the hundreds left their work and be-
gan 10 crowd about the Maury. a dozen
or moro gasoiene Boats towing be-
hind, while members of the committee
OF the James River oyster Tongers'
protective Association crowded aboard
for conference with Commissioner
Lee.
There were threatening gestures
ana mutterings Of a STORM, but cooler
heads took command. A. j. Mountjoy,
of Isle of Wight county. was spokes-
man, with an oysterman named Car
ter, who, by the way. was one of the
crew which assisted in the work of the
original Baylor Survey The tongers
were vehement In demanding their
rights. bu. denied any Intention of
engaging in wholesale lawlessness.
There had been meeting at Dattery
Park liarbor the night before. they
explained, at which 1t had been
icharged that the planters had moved
their stakes in some cases as much
as fifteen hundred yards onto public
rocks,
Demand Rights.
I'VE want our rights" said Mr..
Mountioy. I'VE want them. and we
have decided that we will have them.
cost what 1t may. We do not propose
any violence IL we can get what ee-
deal"
Commissioner Lee and Surveyor
Ruediger assured the tongers that
they VOL. be fairly treated: that the
susfey of the lines wouIu be begun at
once: that the angles and fines would
he plainly marked. If possible with
concrete pillars, or cedar piles, driven
last in the ground. so that they cam
not readily be pulled up and moved
as mas been the case with the light
markers heretofore nseu.
Under the closer discussion. the diff
ferences melted down, and when a
large number OF the tongers had gone
back to their work a COMMITTEES res.
manned, to which Surveyor Ruediger
exhibited HIS maps and charts. ex-
planning from the records where the
lines of the Baylor Survey should
come. All parties left in the best OF
feeling, ald Surveyor Ruediger took
the yacht Blanche, under Captain ].
II. Coston. and at once began TO take
backsiShts and run preliminary lines
to establish the starting points for the
main surveys of the Wreck Shoals and
wick counties Included in the Baylor
survey. after which surveys will be
made In accordance with special acts
Dl the Legislature, subsequent to the
Baylor Survey. making public certain
tracts of oyster bottom in Isle of
light county.
Leaves for Richmond,
commissioner Lee left Tonight via
Hampton for Richmond for conference
With the authorities, and will return
here In the next day or two, the
Maury meanwhile remaining in James
River waters to assist the smaller
police boats, Mr.. Lee says he has no
thought, of asking for troops; that
Had not considered any such step, as
militia would be of but little use
without MANY additional vessels OF
type suited for patrol work. He pro-
poses so secure from the Secretary OF
the Commonwealth and other state
officers the memoranda and notes for
correct surveys of original lines. An
other matter Is to take up with the
state Dairy and Food Commission the
method of inspection at the OYSTER
packing plants. While agreeing that
there should be rigid inspection and
every safeguard of health thrown
afouii~ the shipping of oysters, Mr..
Lee THINKS the regulations as at pres
ent enforced work hardship, espe-
eially on The smaller packing houses,
Which, under their terms. are not IN
position to compete with larger
rivals.
inspector Kilby. who has been es-
2eciaiiy active In prosecuting viola.
lions OF the oyster laws in the lower
lanes River. Will accompany Surveyor
.uedlGert and the tongers have been
instructed to have a committee aboard
ne survey boat to see for thems elves
That the lines are fairly run, in ac-
,ordance with the law adopting the
Baylor Survey. as public oyster
representation on the survey o boat Ca
though 1t is believed that they will
'eek by Injunction to prevent any
change In existing lines, whether the
present markers are In accord with