The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-10-09
WHAT STATE GETS
FOR THIS $125,OOO

80, 1914, the State of Maryland spent
approximately $125,000 for the con-
servation and development of its natu-
raj resources in seafoods and game.
| There has been much discussion in the
State in recent years of the question
of conservation and development. Is
there citizen who can recall having
heard anyone express the belief that
Maryland is handling the question
with any degree of efficiency?
The two Fish ommissioners-one
for the Eastern short and one for the
| Western Shore-show an expenditure
! for the last fiscal year of S10.865; the
State Game Warden. 1921; the meas
urers and inspectors of oysters, S12,-
| 791; the Shell Fish Commission, $780,
800. and the Oyster Navy, $4,000.
And yet the cry comes constantly
from informed men that the State is
in danger of serious depletion of it's
natural food resources.
Few Know Of Results.
Of course, one of the great needs of
the State is a comprehensive study of
the whole question of conserving and
developing these resources; determi-
nation upon broad policy; and rigid,
thorough administration of that policy.
In the meantime it would be proper
to ask in what measure the existing
lnstrumentalities are serving the best
interests of the State. If such ques-
tlon were asked, there is no man in
the State who could give concrete in
formation, so far as the knowledge of
the writer goes. He has been unable
to find anyone who could answer or to
find anyone who knows one who might
be able to answer.
If one inquiries about the Fish Com
missioners, he is told there a retwo-
Edward S. Phillips. of Cambridge, for
the Eastern Shore; William A. Smith,
OF Hoyes, Garrett county( for the
Western Shore. Mr.. Phillips is an
active business man in Cambridge;
Mr. Smith keeps the village store at
Hoyes. Both aSe active in Republi-
can politics. Each receives 81 800 a
year.
People interested in public affairs
know, IN general way that there is
a hatchery somewhere on the lower
Eastern Shore. which Mr.. Phillips
looks after; and another one some
where in WesternMaryland which Mr..
Smith looks after. That is about all
except that year or so ago there was
some question about one of Mr.. Phil
| lips expenses accounts. 1t was all
legged that he had gone from his home
in Cambridge to the hatchery and had
charged an eXtravagant sum for the
use of his automobile; in which he
made the trip. 1t was stated by Off
cials of the Comptroller's office that.
upon examination, the account was
| found to be reasonable and was pass
ed
Then There's a Game Warden.
If one inquiries about the States
Game Warden. he learns that the in
cumbent OF that office is James P. Cur
ley, OF Laurel and Baltimore, LAWYER,
an editor, bank president and a rea-
sonably and properly active Republi-
can leader III Prince Georges county.
Mr.. Curley's salary is $1,000 a year,
and he has an expense allowance of
S2,o0O, plus certain fines administered
to offenders in Carroll and Frederick
| counties.
Mr.. Curley is a man of character.
and so he undoubtedly has given to his
office all the time and attention that a
lawyer and an editor and bank presi-
dent can give to 81 200 political Job.
lie has given more time than most
men would have done under the cir
| cumStanceS.
But he has not set the world on fire.
lie has co-operated with those active
~ interested IN the preservation of
game and fish. They can be counted
on ones, fingers, probably. He has
named deputy game wardens, when
possible, and has made, or caused to
be made. some arrests for violations.
lie mas had the game laws printed and
put out IN very neat pamphlet.
Whether al! of that is worth half of
MS salary, not to mention his eXpen-
ses, is very much to be doubted: whe-
ther 1t amounts to a tithe of what
could be done with the money under a
proper system is very much more to
be doubted.
If one inquiries about the measurers
and inspectors of oysters, he is told
that there are five of them in Balti-
more during the season and one each
at Oxford, Annapolis, Cambridge, Nan
ticoke and Crisfeld. Those in Balti-
more receive S100 a month; those in
the other places $50 a month. Addi-
| tlonal ones are named by the OYSTER
Navy as may be needed
Acts Like A Boomerang
Their duty is to enforce the Gull law
for oysters. If one has spent time at
Annapolis while oyster legislation was
under consideration he will remember
that man after man from the tide
water counties insisted day after day
/ that if the Gull law were enforced
there would be no oyster problem in
the State.
If one inquiries about the Shell Fish
| Commission he will be told that this
board was created to survey the oys-
ter grounds, mark the barren bottoms
and the natural rock and rent to plan
ters the barren. 1t will be recalled
that after the commission had been in
existence number of years and prac
tically had completed its survey the
| last Legislature passed the Shepherd
bill, providing for resurvey because
OF alleged gross errors which had re-
suited in putting much natural rock
in the barren area.