The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-05
TREASURY ST|RS UP
FISH CONTROVERSY
Resume Contest Between Uni
ted States and Canada
DECIDE OLD QUESTION
American Fishery Is Defined-Regula-
ton Effect Consumer In Every
Part of United states on
All Kinds of Fish
BY SIDNEY EsPEY

Washington, February 4.--The recent
fish controversy between this government
and Canada at the Hague Tribunal In
which Senator Root of New York, and
number of other lawyers and states
men OF international fame defended the
claim of their respective countries, was
echoed by the Treasury Department re-
Gently when new regulations governing
ilnportations of fish caught off the New
foundland banks were promulgated.
Through these regulations the consul
mer in every part of the United States
will be directly affected as to the pri-
ces of fish OF all kinds, smoked, sailed
and fresh, oil, bone for fertilizer, spon-
ges, turtles and other marine products
In the regulations, the customs officers
of the treasury have defined what con-
stitutes an american fishery within
the purview of the decision of the Hague
Tribunal.
The question as to what constitutes the
product of an American fishery, which
should be allowed free entry into the
United States, prior to the decisions of
the Hague court, was a difficult one,
sue of the regulations, collectors of Gus
toms at various ports were nuable to def
iritely interpret the regulations and many
vessels were allowed to clear their car
goes free of duty that should have paid
assessments.
This consequently not only caused the
Fishing department much annoyance,
but was equally embarrassing to the
shipowners who were engaged in this
coastwise trade. The fishermen up to
this time have been in doubt as to just
what their rights were SO far as customs
regulations in this country are concerned
After a number of conferences the
Treasury Department decided that an
American fishery is fishery
operated under the American flag by
American vessels in foreign waters, in
which such vessels have the right, by
treaty or otherwise, to take fish and 9TH
er marine products. The cargoes OF such
a vessel will be allowed free entry into
this country. Fish taken by citizens of
another country, and purchased by the
owner. master or agent of an American
vessel, whether or not landed on shore
DTlOr TO DelHR tdheD dDodlu SUM NSSS>''
are not entitled to free entry as product
of an American fishery. In the latter
named class are a number of American
fishermen who annually send hundreds
of boat loads of fish to this country
AS they will be required to pay duty, the
price of their products will be materially
higher.
Fish taken by the crew of an Ameri-
can vessel, who may be either American
citizens or foreigners, or by foreign fish
errnen in such vessel and under the su-
pertisoh of its master or crew, and IN
pursuance of an employment for that
purpose are held to be entitled TO free
entry. %
The employment of foreign fishermen
either as members of the crew, or under
the supervision of the master OF crew OF
an American, is allowed. The purchase
nv the master or crew of an American
vessel of fish caught by the citizens OF
another country in foreign waters Will
subject such fish to the custom duties.
Fish taken by an American vessel Ian
ded on shore In foreign territory where
If Is sailed, dried otherwise preserved
nreparatory to shipment to the United
States will be entitled to free entry
provided no persons other than the OIL
GERS. master or crew of such a. vessel