The Washington times., 1915-12-18
REDFIELD DEMANDS
ACTION BY STATES
TO PROTECT SHAD
Fish Industry in Danger, He
Says, Unless Virginia and
Maryland Aid.

Construction Of a modern aquarium
the Commerce building as is possible.
is urgently recommended by Secretary
of Commerce Redfeld.
In a section of his annual report de-
voted largely to the Bureau Of Fish
cries. the Secretary reviews, the work
of this bureau and recommends many
Improvements and enlargements in its
service. such a. the substitution Of ALL
steel, for the present wooden fish cars
the establishment of a lobster rearing
plant; the establishment of new hatch
cries, and the construction Of two
motorboats for the Alaska salmon
hatcherles.
Danger To Shad.
The Secretary deals forcefully with
the grave daGer of the determination
of the shad, the greatest food fish Of
the Chesapeake bay, and he issues
warming 10 Maryland and Virginia, that
unless protective measures are TAKEN
his department will abandon efforts to
perpetuate the shad industry in these
waters, which gives many persons
livelihood, and puts food in the
mouths of others. He tells of the sue
cessful efforts of his department ia
bringing to the fore practically un-
known food fishes and materially in
creasing the diminishing food supply OF
the country.
In this category he mentions par
ticularly the tile hsh and the sea
musseI, which has become a stand
ard article of diet.
The Secretary recommends civilian
crews in place of the navy crews on
two fishery vessels, saying that this
would be great economy, and would
afford relief to the navy.
Frog culture has been taken up
by the bureau, the report shows. and
attempts made to discover methods
OF propagation because of the large
food supply that would be made avail
able and the interest that is being
taken by the country,
1t is pointed out that the fur seals
Gu the Pribiloff Islands are increas-
ing to such extent that commercial
killing will be both possible and de-
sirable. When this comes to pass the
Secretary says that measures to util-
ize the carcasses to their full eco
nomic value, as in the past much mas
been wasted that was not used for
food.
Seal Skins Stored.
sand seal skins in storage. and the
Secretary proposes to establish by
the Government an American fur dy e.
ing and dressing industry.
The bureau made comprehensive
canvass of the shRd fishery of Chesa-
peake Bay and tributaries in 1915. and
now has data on which to base a final
appeal for proper treatment of the shad.
Failing to secure adequate LEGISLATION.
the next step must be the abandonment
of fish cultural work in localities where
1t is not appreciated and the concentra-
ton OF efrort in communities where the
maintenance of the fish supply is regard
ed as q serious function Of the State"
travel allowance for Government Of
ticcrs, declaring that the maximum OF
s. a day is often insufficient and
causes employees making small salaries
to lose a portion of their salaries in
paying expenses.
The Secretary treats in humorous
fashion Of the archaic condition main
tanning in the buildings of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey. He shows that
the survey is scattered on sixteen diff
ferent hoor levels in one building and
eleven that by no means match in an
other. The buildings have an ancient
heating plant, with the most venerable
system imaginable for supplying coal.
The boilers are decrepit and inefficient
and much difficulty Is experienced in
obtaining heat that Is highly expensive.
yet the heating conduit of the big
plant. runs through these buildings to
the Capitol. Legislation is needed to
tap 1t.
The necessity for new ships and bet
ter pay for the men of the Coast ard
Geodetic Survey is dwelt upon.