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

ton. thoy will generally fall in line
and at onoo try to remedy tho OWLS.
I beliove 1t is a mistake to call abrupt
ly upon theso business mon. often using
lindiscroion by serving Thorn with
warrant whom sensible. practical talks
with them and enlightening them as
to tho harm they arc really doing to
tho water and to tho lifo in the water
Will mako them ready to meet you half
way and accomplish our mutual object.
Furthermore. am OF tho firm belief
that there is no pollution. no matter the
nature of 1t, in our waters to-day that
cannot DO taken caro- of without seri-
GUS injury to tho companies that are
responsible for IL; but, as already
consideration must be Eivon those af-
fected by new laws. This increasing
and serious evil must be stopped.
Third. Another form OF destruction
to the fish lifo OF our streams that I
feel 1t incumbent mo to mention Is
the Wholesale dynamiting of fish in
some sections of our State. There have
been several instances OF this destruo-
ton that have come directly to my at
tention. and when I 500 men who stand
we'll In communities go out and dolib-
erately place sticks of dynamite In wa
ters that have been recently stocked
by the Federal government for the
benefit of all tho people of this State
my feeling that this Legislation is need
ed is intensified to n great degree. Had
1 time I could tell you gentlemen OF
some cases OF this kind that 1 am sure
such conditions exist and such viola
lions go on is enough to cause us to
take immediate action.
Chesapeake Bny Fisheries.
The question OF wise and suitable
legislation TO partially protect the val
liable fisheries OF Chesapeake Bay and
tributaries and also to pass laws to
pave tho way for replenishing tho Sc
riously depleted inland waters Is q most
vital one.
l think you will agree with me that
any new legislation should be neither
too broad nor drastic, but sufficient
laws looking to the protection OF this
most important industry should he
enacted at this session OF the Legisla-
ture. and so assure n start and proper
foundation for ultimate protection 1
have given much careful thought to
this matter. with an eye to doing the
least possible Injury to the many thous-
ands who make their living by fishing.
and at the same time looking to their
protcotion-the perpetuation of this
valuable occupation and industry.
Briefly. let me give you idea of
tho shad and herring fisheries OF Chesa-
pcake Bay and suggested changes:
First. The season OF 1913 Was the
poorest In many years In most parts
OF the Chesapeake basin. and tho ag-
gregate catch Of the principal spring
fish-shad and herrins-much less than
in recent years. The effects of the de-
crease Will be seen from three to five
years hence. when the reduced pro-
Eeny OF the 1913 seasons supply comes
back TO spawn.
The immediate cause Of tho fail
ure of the shad and herring fisheries
In 1913 Is the diminished run Of spawn
ing fish into Chesapeake Bay from the
sea and the enormous quantity of APP
paratus among which limited catch
had to he divided. Inasmuch as the
great bulk Of the yield IS taken In salt
water the remnant that was able to
reach the spawning grounds In the
streams was insignificant and wholly
in& iequate TO maintain the supply
The remote cause OF the present con-
dition Is excessive fishing in former
years and the lack of even the mini
mum amount of protection that Is de-
nanded by regard FOR the most ele-
mentary principles OF fishery conser-
walton. Fish entering Chesapeake Bay
have 10 run through such q maze of
nets that the wonder is that any are
able to reach their spawning grounds
and deposit their eggs. The mouth
of every important shad and herring
stream In tho Chesapeake basin is
literally clogged with nets that are
set for the special purpose Of Inter
cepting every fish, whereas a proper
regard to the future welfare OF the
fisheries md for the needs of the mi
grating schools would cause the nets
TO be set so as to Insure the escape
OF certain proportion of the spawn
ing fish.
Potomac River Conditions.
Second. The United States Bureau OF
Fisheries were able TO take only about
2oo00.0oO eggs. against 10000, 900 In
1913, decrease Of about so per cent,
the number being totally inadequate
to furnish n future supply.
The conditions In the Potomac Riv-
cr. which may be taken as typical for
all the major streams. were In some
respects the worst in forty years. The
upper reaches OF tho river were almost
barren OF fish during tho entire season,
and nearly all the shad and herring
fishermen failed to meet expenses At
Ferry Landing. Va. the largest seine
on the river, 1900 fathoms long. dis
continued operations In tho middle OF
the season owing to the scarcity OF