The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-22
NO PUBLIC GROUND,
To Be ABOLISHED
Oyster Tongers Will Always
Retain Rights if They
Obey Law
CONTESTED LINES
BEING READJUSTED
Only One License Revoked by
Commissioner-Bolh Sides to
Have Representatives With
State Surveyors.

Acting under orders of the State
board of fisheries. which met in the
governors office Wednesday after
noon. Commissioner Mcdonald Lee
Is now at work re-adjusting the dis
puted lines along the waterfront of
Isle of Wight county, and until the
contested boundaries have been
checked over and definitely esta biish~
ed neither the tongers nor planters
will he allowed to operate in the dis
puted beds.
The planters and tongers have been
asked TO withhold for three days. At
the expiration OF that time most Of
the more important lines win have
been established.
In order that there may be no flu
ture bitterness, dissatisfaction nor
MISUNDERSTANDING the planters and
tongers have been requested to select
representatives who shall accompany
Commissioner Lees surveyors. These
men will then see, the board declares.
that the commissioner IL absolutely
non bipartisan. and that he has the
interests OF both sides at heart.
Pulled up the Stakes.
While large element in the State
has severely criticised the tongers for
what was termed their hasty action
9As8AAk 6p aSAAESr X LIE NEA
understood by all who have given
the matter intelligent thought that
the tongeTs believed that they were
being imposed upon by the planters
and determined to take positive steps
to put an end TO what they believed
encrcachment upon their rights.
though ii ID admitted by all that had
they acted Ia a more conservative
manner and made their appeal to the
board Of fishories all the trouble would
have been aVarted.
Those we'll Informed in the matter
declare that the natural rocks con
stituta one of the most valuable as
sets OF the State. and that though
some may wish them leased TO prf~
sate parties, such action win never
hs authorized by the people ut large
unless the tongers persist In acting
contrary TO all law aud reason.
To close the beds to the public
a constitutional amendment would he
required. and such an amendment
would never be enacted. 1t is shown.
unless by concerted and continued
lawlessness they SO disgust the people
Of the State that they decide 70 pro-
hibH their activity altogether for
economic and common sense reason
Such action even then. however,
would AFFECT il is estimated 81.
people. who now derive "a living from
the oyster Industry Ut Virginia, and
AS the tongers realize the gravity of
tho situation which such an amend
ment would produce II Is practically
certain that they WITH conduct them
selves well within the legal require
menfs OF the board
Armstrong License Revoked.
The lines around the beds claimed
by the Armstrong Brothers will be
the first to ha re-ad1usted Through
a misunderstanding with representa-
tiyes of this concern the board of
fisheries was greatly hampered In its
attempts to bring about satisfactory
settlement. and finally when the COM
pany refused 10 cease operations un-
I'll the lines were re-ran. as the other
planters and all the iongers had
agreed TO do. Commissioner Lee was
forced to revoke It's license, thus re-
uuiring its men not only to keep away
from the disputed beds bat TO stop
work altogether
CONSEQUENTLY with the exception Of
this drm all the oyster men are now
hack at work. but are careful not go
encroach upon that territory regard
ed as contested territory. and il Is
to allow the Armstrong Brothers 70
resume work at the earliest possible
moment that the lines around-tha.
beds claimed by this concern are the
first 10 be considered.