The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-24
HAS HIGHEST PRAISE
FOR VIRGINIA OYSTERS
ONE OF FEW. SOUTH ATLANTIC
STATES TO PRESERVE HER
INDUSTRY.

Especial to The Richmond Vlrginian-)
NORFOLK. IA. April 23.--"Vtr-
Einia is one of the few South Atlantic
States that has taken a decided prac
teal step looking toward the con-
seryation and perpetuation of her
shellfish industry, and through the
conscientious work of her able COM
missioner. Hon. w. Mcdonald Lee.
she has reached a place where she
can point with pride TO what the State
is accomplishing in the oyster indus"
try.
The oystery industry is on pay
ing basis, and each year is enabled to
pay into the general treasury OF tho
State a very satisfactory fund after
all expenses have been met. This
coud only have ben accomplished as
a Statewide measure.
His Statements Echoed.
These extracts from the address of
J, Hyde Pratt of North Carolina
president of the National Association
Of Sheilfish Com missioners, at the
opening session of its fifthe annual
convention in the parlors of the Mon
ticeilo hotel today, set forth facts that
found echo and reiteration in one
form and another in other papers and
discussions that occupied practically
the entire morning and afternoon SEES
scns.
and Virginians have reason to feel
proud was that the concensus Of
opinion among the speakers MS weH
as delegates generally is that Virginia
has solved the problem of oyster tax
alton satisfactory and that other
States would do well TO follow her
example along this line. II was also
generally conceded that questions con-
corning the shellhsh industry arc
matters of more than local interest
that they are of Statewide significance
and should be so considered. The
question of pollution, 1t was en-
phasized is one that affects all oyster
producing States.
Between fifty and sixty delegates
and visitors are in attendance upon
the convention which will conclude
its session with a business meeting
at / o'clock tomorrow morning. fol-
lowed by visit to Lynnhaveu bay
and an oyster roast at Cape Henry in
the afternoon.
The convention began with meet
ing of the executive committee. and
public meeting, at which the con-
vention was welcomed by Captain
Wyndham II. Mayo. mayor of Nor
folk, during which he referred to the
importance of the conservation of the
oyster.
Mayor Mayo's reference to PreSi-
dent Wilson's views regarding con-
servation of our natural resources was
literally applauded.
Governor William Hodges Mann.
scheduled for an address, could not
attend w Mcdonald Lee, read "A
letter expressive Of the governors
regret.
DIR. Pratt's Report.
DIR. Joseph Hyde Pratt, OF North
Carolina, president OF the association.
submitted his annual report, one OF
the salient features of which was the
problem of oyster perpetuation and
cultivation. On th,s point DIR. Hyde
said:
Such recommendations as are
made for the perpetuation and Guilt
walton of the oyster and the protcc-
ton and perpetuation of other she'll
fish can only be carried out by al
States taking the problem and con-
sidering Ii as Il State proposition.
Where this has been done the results
| have been most beneficial and graft
Tying, and the oyster industry of these
States has been revived and become a
very profitable one
There are, however, many States
where the problem has not yet been
successful solved. and IL is found upon
investigation that the reason for this
is that the State legislators have not
and are not now considering the ques-
tlon as State problem, but are per-
hitting the local committees to have
laws enacted relative TO the oyster and
clam industries, ana are nor taking
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