The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-01-20
State Revenues From
Fish and Oysters.

The Jacksonville state contains an
editorial entitled Opportunity For
Statesmanship." that is pregnant
with logic and good business sense.
The State says:
Men representing the various coun-
ties in the next Legislature will have
an opportunity OF going down In the
archives OF Florida history as real
statesmen IL they confine their efforts
20 general legislation and abstain
from petty local matters.
Last session the commissioner Of
shell fish was created and this de-
partment has done as much real good
for the state In the way of preserving
our natural resources as anything we
know OF. The department was han
tlisapped in not having funds, but the
department has worked to such
II good end that this year the state
VIII receive eight thousand dollars
in excess of the running expense Of
the department. In addition to this,
1t has built up the oyster industry to
an extent that win mean millions to
Florida for years to come
-
in charge OF a similar commissioner
with adequate laws Il wood be pos
sible for the state to get rot less than
n hundred thousand dollars the first
year without working a hardship
uron a single person. and at the same
time would build up the rapidly dis
appearing fsh industry in Florida.
Lot us make few comparisons
Delaware, a small state with q water
area less than the water area of
Franklin county. received from the
oyster industry through the process
Of leasing the bottoms Tor artificial
oyster growing, more than $4,000.
Virginia and Rhode Island each re-
ceived in excess of million dollars.
BY regulating the oyster and fish
industry of Florida it viii be a few
years until more than a million dol
lars would come In annually as re-
suit. II would be possible TO conduct
all OF tho state government, includ-
ing the upkeep Of the educational in
stitutions on the funds derived from
these two industries.
In addition to what the state would
receive In money from these indus
tries II Is difficult 10 calculate the
payroils that will be made possible
by the development Of the fishing in
dustry and oyster and clam and
shrimp businesses. The citrus crop in
comparison would be small affair.
THE members OF the legislature
have an opportunity to become real
statesmen IL they only will Will not
the newspapers OF Florida encourage
the passage of additional legislation
that will make the development OF
these Industries result in millions to
the slater
The Journal commends this sub
ject to the thoughtful consideration Of
every member Of the coming legisla-
tnre
C,ur present shell fish commissioner
has. as the state says. done a SPLEEN
did work and he has accomplished It
In less than two years. With ade-
quate means to continue the work.
Shell Fish Commissioners Hodges can
develop an industry that will mean
not only millions OF dollars to the
sands Of dollars for the state reve-
nues as we'll
We regret that rs much cannot be
said OF Florida's fish and game COM
missioner. lie not only seems to
know little or nothing about the work
OF his ONCE, but so far he has failed
absolutely to display any initiative in
the presentation and development Of
the states great fishing interests.
AS a matter OF fact. the office of
fish and game commissioner ought
to be consolidated with the office of
shell fish commissioner. Then, under
such man as the present shell fish
commissioner. F1orida's great fish,
shrimp. and oyster interests would
soon develop into millions of dollars
OF revenue for the people Of the
state.
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