The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-13
BIZ RAYMOND PULLMAN.
Times Washington Bureau.
Metropoljtdn Bunk Building.


That the United States bureau OF
fisheries, even with the many limita-
tons imposed by law on its activities.
nevertheless Ia In q position 10 con-
tribute materially to the increase OF
the nations food
NEW cOMMis- supply and to give
SIONER OF valuab q ASSIST
FISHERIES. ance In the solu-
ton Of the cost-of-
living problem IL the opinion OF Dr.
Hugh NJ. Smith. the new commission
er. who In recent days has been con-
firmed for the important once given
him by President Wilson.
DR.. Smiths appointment was in the
nature OF a promotion. and during the
years in which he has served In
subordinate positions In the bureau
of which he Is now the head he mas
become an authority on the work
which the government Is doing TO In
crease the Ash food supply or the
United States.
In the conservation of fish food re-
sources, our activities are both direct
and indirect" said Commissioners
Smith In explaining the interest OF MS
bureau in the cost-Of-living problem.
by its very extensive fish cultural
operations In all parts OF the country
the bureau each pear Is bringing into
existence and starting on their career
hundreds OF millions OF food fishes
that. without the governments work.
would never have gotten beyond the
egg stage. Overwhelming evidence IL
available TO show the value OF this
work In maintaining the fsh supply
of streams and lakes, In restoring de-
rleted waters, In stocking artificial
ponds and In establishing fishes In
new waters. There Is scarcely CON-
munity in the entire country that has
not profited by these operations OF our
government.
"rhese direct efforts have been sup
plemented by most valuable service IN
saving the lives Of fishes that are
stranded every year when the Missis-
sippi river and It's tributaries go on
the ram p 9.
SAVING FLooD- When the waters
STRANDED subside the cry OF
FISH. Rescue the perish
ing!' goes up In
behalf of millions OF the best food
fishes of the interior waters, and the
cry is responded to by the agents OF
the fisheries service, who seine out
the temporary ponds and pools LETT In
open places by the receding floods and
restore the fishes to the main
streams.
: "One important point In increasing
the fish food supply Is the encourage
ment Of the utilization OF many kinds
of good fish which are now neglected
Our fastidious tastes and the abund-
ance Of our water products have caused
us to discard many excellent re-
sources which other nations have been
utilizing for many centuries. A recent
inquiry by me has shown that each
year over 10000. 900 pounds OF sin
gle fish now caught In our east coast
fisheries are thrown away, not sin
gle pound being sold or consumed
Yet this is one of the best favored
fishes in our waters, and last fall
, saw It being sold In Hamburg at sew
eral times the price commanded BY
mackerel Dozens Of other fishes
which Europeans eat are regarded BY
us as beneath notice. I may mention
in this connection the very abundant
and widely distributed sea mussels
which are extensively eaten In all thu
ccastwise countries Of Europe. while
We for years have, entirely ignores
these wholesome shellhsh and hav'
only recently begun to recognize thei
value.