The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-09
GREAT STEP IS TAKEN
IN FISHERY INDUSTRY
Continued from First page. }

printed in. for the Maryland com
missoners each time failed to i'm
press their Legislatures with the need
of these laws.
It has been stated, and Is probably
true. that Maryland on one or more
occasions passed some act which Vir-
GINA failed to concur In. without
concurrence and joint legislative
action by the two States no legisla
ton for the Potomac fisheries could
become effectively
Two Governors Act.
Early in January OF this year (1912)
the crying need of better laws for
Potomac was recognized by Mary
land thinkers, and at the instance of
the shelifish Commission of that
State. particularly IT'S photographic
engineer. Hon. Swepson Earle. Gov
einor Crothers was prompted to APP
point II commission, with the request
that Governor Mann, OF Virginia, do
likewise to confer on the subject of
Np-to-date laws. covering the broad
expanse of water lying between the
two States. Virginia's Governor
promptly responded. although in the
breast of Virginia there was little
hope that the laborious conclusions
would meet any better fate than In
Commission were the chairman and
SECRETARY OF the State Commission of
Fisheries: Hon. John Curlett. Hon.
W. w Old. Jr., Frank q. Newbill.
NJ. l. Prince and John A. Anderton.
all of these being men who We're not
connected with the General Assem-
bly,, which in a. few days was to be-
gin its work. Messrs Price and An
derton were prevented by stress of
weather from accepting the invitation
to go to Annapolis. Nd, for purposes
OF the conference: SO the five others
represented Virginia in deliberations
which resulted so gratifyingly and be-
You'd the most sangune expectations
After two days and nights of har-
monious discussion, IA bill was drafted
on January 10. 1912. which repealed.
all former laws tsave the sacred pact
of 1875, under which legislation Is
made effective), and added a new
code for absolute control and regu-
laHon Of the fisheries OF the tidal
wators Of the Potomac river by on
cials OF the two States. 1t was thought
hest IN let-tAe Legislature OF Mary
land first try it's hand at enacting. as
Virginia had been ready and will
ing for years to put similar views into
effect. and there was no apprehen-
q 4
Hot Rattle hi Maryland.
The battle In Maryland was a hot
one. but Senator Frere. tho moving
spirit on the part Of Maryland's AS
sembly, pushed 1t through the Sem
ate and followed 1t into the House,
where the battle was the f1ercest. The
joint conference had gained friends
among Maryland legislators (then in
session.. and by the powerful aid of
Speaker Trippe. Delegate Cummings
and others the bill as agreed upon
passed the House. A humorous in
cfdent. and the quick wit OF Mr..
Speaker probably saNed the day In
the Maryland House, and Is worth
relating. In tho bill. describing the
classes Of nets, the word ''skirt"-net
was read 'shirt"net by the printer,
and an amendment was necessary to
correct the typographical error. At
the time OF reaching this amendment
the fight was any mans" The OPP
position were strong. and playing dill I.
atory tactics. Feeling was high. Seiz-
ing the opportunity. Speaker Trfppe
announced: Gentlemen. the motion
is to take off the shirt and put on
the skirt" And tn, motion was de-
clared carried. while the House was
in a CONFUSION OF laughter. Push
ing the point the bill was read" Shc
third time and passed.
No opposition was encountered in
the Virginia body. and the bill as
signed by the Governor OF Maryland
was put through both houses here
without the crossing of or the
dotting of nm T. being necessary in
its provisions except where made APP
plicabie to Virginia that word was
substituted for Maryland
Following is the full text OF the
bill:
Full Text Of the New Law.
Whereas, a necessity has arisen for
the enactment of concurrent legfsIa-
ton regarding the fish and shellfisr
industry In the. Potomac river in con-
sequence Of the compact entered into
between the States OF Maryland and
Virginia on the 2sth day OF March In
the year 1855; therefore.
]. Be II enacted by the General AS
sembly OF Virginia an follows:
Whe Mas or who ma not take HsA.
oysters or crabs in the Potomac river:
.penalties.--It shall he lawful for any
citizen of the Stafa ~ MARYLAND Ar