The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-22

| In 1871 shad were transferred from
the Atlantic Seaboard to the Pacific
Coast waters. and the species Is now
found In such great abundance In Pa
cifio coastal streams that 1t is of great
commercial value. In 1879 Il few spe-
! cics of striped bass from Eastern wa
ters were deposited In coastal streams
In California, and these species are now
we'll established In that region. Twelve
million eggs OF the humpbacked sal
mon, one OF the commercial salmons
OF the Pacific Coast, were last year
transferred to the East for develop
mont, with the intention of depositing
the resulting fry In suitable streams
on the Atlantic Const.
The bureaus efforts in stocking bar
rem waters and In restocking waters
that have become depleted will be of
! little value unless the Legislatures OF
the various States enact adequate fish
protective laws and see that they are
riEidly inforced. Therefore. Il is a
matter of much moment that the people
of the States and the state Legislatures
| DC impressed with the great impor-
tance of aiding In the conservation of
/ the fishery resources by the enactment
! and inforcement of protective laws.
The organization OF Ash and game pro-
tcctive associations, anglers clubs and
other organizations along protective
/ lines has done much 10 influence the IN
/ forcement of the laws. The most Sc
rious conditions with which the bureau
/ has to content in the prosecution OF
/ its work arc artificial in nature Tho
construction of dams without efficient
/ fishways the operation of pound nets
and gill nets in prohibited waters or
at the mouths of streams, preventing
the adult fish from reaching their
/ spawning grounds, and tho destruction
/ OF the fish life through water pollution.
are some OF the factors which render
negative the fish culture work OF the
bureau In many sections OF the country,
while the failure of some States to
enact and inforce adequate protective
aws and tho disposition of others to
appropriate TO their own use fields
which have been developed by tho bu-
reau tend to hamper and curtoil its
activities. It is believed, however,
that when the people OF the. various
states become better acquainted with
/ the nature of the bureaus work and Its
desire TO cooperate with State officials,
many OF these obstacles will be over
come,
Approves Hsrt-Whitc Bill.
/ would like to say i few words on
the HartWhite bill, which has already
been introduced, creating q Commits
sioner of Game and Inland Fisheries.
cannot express TO you gentlemen too
strongly how thoroughly 7 approve OF
this measure and how much it means
70 the state of Virginia. If this bill
is passed II VIII be the beginning of
n now era in the conservation OF this
great CommouWcalths resources. II
VIII be the direct means of saving the
lnsh In the now depleted waters, and
will likewise apply TO the disappearing
game of our state. The bill IS not
drastic II is logical and applicable to
all parts OF the State. and should be
passed; az il is far too conservative as
compared with the needs Of the state
o-day but three States arc without
an Inland fish and game commission
, Arkansas, Mississippi and Virginia
Owing 10 the cncroachment OF civili-
Eaton and the incrca Sc OF population
tho quantities of our fish and game be-
come very scarce. and think you will
agree with me. even though this great
state has stood the strain for many
/ years. 1t is beginning 10 feel the pres
sure; and earnestly appeal 10 YOU
gentlemen OF this Legislature to cstab-
fish source of income for the peo-
T pie of this State by creating a com
I missioner Of fish and game, thereby
q forming department that will sys-
tcmatiHe and properly care for the nat
F. ural resources and conserve tho FISH.
- game and birds Of the state Your sister
s. states have tried this when their sun
9 ply was much depleted and ali of them.
think YOU will find. have found II
k successful
:, Many OF tho States In thinking it
n out believed Il would be expensive, but
- aftor actual experience, realized that
i Che hsh and game commission could
~ De put on sustaining basis Tho
. states OF Alabama and Georgia arc
n good examples OF this
ordinarily the functions OF my oricc
would not permit mo to touch on the
PrcserVauo on of our garno" side OF this
question. but on account OF my douhio
interest already referred to, think as
citizen you Will be glad to have me
make some comment on the general
merits OF this measure
Wants Fish Protected
FRET let mo say briefly: hay, al.
ways been strong advocate OF con
seIVatioh or the nsh and game or this
country realizing It's economic vain,
70 every state. have underworld =
.no Iest twenty years Ia aections o,
w" country who're have been On ref.
eisnce 10 this same worD to pe, M,
bcop'r 10 take heed and not allow the
- depletion Of our !lsh and game To sucI