The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-23
WILL ENFORCE LAWS
REGARDING Sfk-FOOOS
Representatives OF Virginia and Mary,
land Pave Way For Better
Understanding.
TWO STATES WILL COOPERATE
Agree to Lend Aid I'm Conserving Oys-
ter, Crab, Fish and Other Sea Food
Industries In Chesapeake Bay.

their respective states pertaining 10
the oyster. crab. fish and other sea
food industries of the Potomac River
and Chesapeake Bay, and further
agreeing to recommend to the Legis-
latures OF their respective States such
legislation as might be decided upon
for the better protection of the indus
tries mentioned, the conference be-
tween the Governor of Virginia, Henry
c. Stuart, and the Governor of Mary
land Emerson c. Harrington, and the
fish commissioner Of each state,
aboard the Governor McLain' Friday
morning in the Potomac River, has
paved the way for a better applica-
ton of the concurrent laws and the
consequent protection of the sea foods
in the waters Of Chesapeake Bay and
the Potomac River. So pleasant and
fruitful was the conference that II
has been made an annual event, 10
take place in July or August of each
year
At the conference the state of Mary
land was represented by Its governor
and the following members and Off
GERS of the Conservation Commission
of that State; w. Thomas Kemp, VIII
liam II. killian and J. Elwood White,
and Swepson Earle, engineer. and
Thomas G h. Howard. commander OF
the Maryland police feet. The repre-
sentatives of Virginia were Governor
Stuart John Parsons James NJ
Lewis, George b. Keezell and Charles
A. Johnston. of the Commission OF
Fisheries. The Federal government
was represented by DR. II r Moore.
OF the Bureau OF Fisheries, OF Wash
ington.
While the meeting was held prin-
cipally 70 formulate rules for the bet
ter enforcement Of the concurrent law
applying 70 the Potomac River. other
questions relating To the fisheries were
discussed. Both commissions were
unanimous in their opinion that
everything possible should be done 70
s.4eonsAr the oyster crab. Ash and
other seafood industries OF Chesa-
peake Bay. and that this could best
be done by the honest cooperation OF
the Fisheries Com m sssions o. the two
States. The commissions agreed 10
use every effort to enforce the present
conservation laws Of their States and
10 help each other tn every possible
way In enforcing these laws. They
further agreed to recommend 10 the
Legislatures Of their states such fur
upon for the better protection Of the
industries.
The following rules were submitted
aud agreed on at the conference.
Rules Agreed On.
All oyster police and inspectors
Gre required to overhaul vessels
which may be engaged IN the act Of
taking oysters, or which have oysters
in their possession TO ascertain II
there be any violation OF the laws,
calling. tub. or otherwise. Overhaul
, ir- 20 be done whenever possible on
the beds or bars where boats are
acti1 ely engaged in the taking or load
ing. At least four tubs 10 be cuiled
from different parts OF the cargo TO
ascertain II in excess Of s per cent
OF unmerchantabie oysters. In such
an event officials 10 proceed according
se rule 2
2. Only standard tubs lawfully
stamped. shall be used In measuring
oysters by buyer and seller. Oyster
police to enforce this Law with equal
vigor as rule relating to culhng
g. All oyster inspectors or police
shall be Instructed to neither impose
nor collect any fines. nor accept any
moneys "a such, but are directed TO
place violators under arrest and take
them before a magistrate or court
having jurisdiction,
l. No boat shall be allowed TO carry
any part OF the equipment Of a scoop.
dredge, drag or winders with which
to operate patent tongs, and officials
must ascertain regarding this before
issuing the required permits for work
Ing on seed area
s. Form of permit. as per copy, to
be issued 10 captains desiring TO catch
or load oysters on seed area, which
are to be issued in quadruplicate, one
copy to be given the captain, one to
be retained in book and one each 10
be mailed to the Office OF the COM
missions Of both Virginia and Mary
land.
Oyster police ana inspectors are d.
rected TO treat violations as having &C
CURED in the Potomac River. whether
cargoes are loaded actually in the
river or within the headlands OF said
river, or regardless of where arrests
may have been made. This rule to be
4 guide as to evidence and TO COM
prehend the law to intend that the
place where oysters were originally
taken from the beds or bars, should
be considered regardless OF where
loaded or arrested
Oyster police and inspectors OF both
States shall cooperate with each
other. jointly apprehend violations,
aid each other In securing convictions
and generally TO secure a compliance
with the laws.
The Joint Committee respectfully
submits to the governors OF Maryland
and Virginia that in order to effec-
lively enforce the concurrent laws re-
garding Potomac River. all magis-
trates and prosecuting attorneys hav-
ing jurisdiction. be requested to CO.
operate in the execution of these laws
by interpreting violations to have oc-
CURED in Potomac River. whether
they be actually loaded there within
the headlands OF said river, or re-
gardless OF where the arrests may
have been made.
Also that the penalties be as pre-
scribed In the concurrent law and
be graded and regulated upward ac-
cording to the degree of the offense,
the size of the cargo and the Offend
ers' reputation for habitual offense.
and particularly to include in the
penalty the order to return the cargo
10 beds or bars from whence taken
Drowned in East River.
Mathews. Va, July 22.--While in n
launch In East River yesterday. Philip
II. Muir. one OF the most prominent