Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-13
FISH BILL HEARING
SET FOR MARCH e


many who have watched the cam
paign of The Evening Star from an
economic point of view, as that is
the only side of the question that
has been taken up by this paper.
Not once has mention been made of
the rod and line fishermen's interest
and it will not be attempted. The
fight will not touch the fishing inter-
ests of the State in any manner. but
the fishermen who make a living by
catching the fish that are the prop
erty of the people, must be reason
able and come to the realization that
the people of the State of New Jer-
sey cannot longer be compelled to
pay such an exorbitant price for
their food.
They will be shown at this hear
ing that the people are paying more
for their fish today than they did
ten years ago and they will prove
to the fishermen, if it is necessary,
that they are getting less for their
catch than they did ten years ago.
and then the fishermen will be asked
for reason for it.
This and many other questions
will be asked in order to put the
matter squarely before the members
of the Legislature, and. according to
the present outlook, the committee
will be increased by an audience of
legislators who have shown a decided
interest in the question, partly be-
cause of their own knowledge of con-
ditions and partly because the peo-
pie have flooded them with requests
to take some action.
When the rough draft of the
Byrne bill was introduced and
printed the demand for copies ex-
hausted the supply at Trenton and
in Difference to the wishes Of great
many the bill is here reproduced just
| as ii is presented to the Legislature,
In producing a copy of this bill II
| is we'll that those Interested cut il
out and study it carefully and then
| make whatever suggestions that may
come to them, which suggestions
will be gratefully received by this
| paper. Many valuable suggestions
| have been made about the bill, but
it Is not necessary at this time to
go into the constitutlonality of it, as
that matter will be left to competent
lawyers if it becomes necessary
What is wanted now is to have the
| Legislature give the matter the atten-
| tion 1t deserves and to bear In mind
that the people of the State are pay
| ing twenty and twenty-five cents 9
| DpuIlu iOl llStl THAI liO llSii II I'D
pays the New Jersey fishermen tive
and half cents a pound for. That's
the point and how to remedy 1t is
| the question.
The bill known as 637 drafted by
The Star representative and pre-
scented for The Evening Star at thei1
request by Assemblyman Byrne, OF
Essex County. is as follows:
IAN act for the appointment of q
commissioner of marine fisheries fol
the better protection of the fishing
| interests in the tidal waters of the
State of New Jersey, including the
waters of the Atlantic Ocean within
three nautical miles of the coast line
of said State, and to provide funds
for operation and maintenance OF
food fish stations.
"Be it enacted by the Senate and
General Assembly of the State of
New Jersey:
81. The Governor may appoint,
with the consent Of the Senate, a
commissioner of marine fisheries,
who shall hold office for the term of
five years from the date of his APP
pointment and until his successor
has been appointed, and in case of
vacancy occurring by death, resig-
nation or otherwise, the said term
shall be filled by the Governor for
the residue thereof.
"2. 1t shall be the duty of said
commissioner to secure the enforce
ment of all laws for the preserva-
ton of all marine fishes, and to
bring, or cause TO be brought, ac-
lions and proceedings in the name
of the State, to recover any and all
penalties provided for: and shall at
all times have the right and power
to inspect any pound net, purse net,
fyke net. drift net, gill net, weir, fish
basket or other apparatus for taking
marine fishes.
''3. Such commissioner shall devote
all his time to the duties of his Of
fee, and shall receive salary of
three thousand dollars per annum,
payable monthly, and such actual
expenses and disbursements as he
may incur as commissioner. said sal
airy, expenses and disbursements to
be paid out of fund to be known
as the marine fisheries fund, upon
vouchers therefor approved by the
Governor.
"a. The said commissioner may APP
point five competent men who shall
be known as marine fish wardens,