The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-22
Is a great deal of power to place in
the hands of any body"
Both Sides of Controversy.

Is a great deal of power to place in
the hands of any body"
Both Sides of Controversy.
The tongers contend" says the
commissions report, that at present
we have more seed oysters than our
planters can use, and that because
of this fact and because of the law
complained Of our planters are able
to fix any price they please for seed.
II the law is repealed. they claim,
there will be sufficient demand from
other States. not only to enable them
10 dispose of the entire supply of seed,
but to do go at fair price.
The planters claim that because
of the depression which has existed
for several years in the oyster bust
ness, they have been unable to dis
pose of their mature oysters. and con-
sequently need but few seed, and cam
not afford to pay more for them than
they are paying They admit that
there is surplus of seed oysters at
this time, but object to the repeal Of
the law in question, and contend that
IL the law is repealed the demand
from other States will soon exhaust
the supply: that our beds will again
become depleted, ana when Virginia
planters are again in the market for
"a normal supply, they will be unable
to get them: that the planting indus
try will be destroyed, and that the
tongers Will be in much worse con-
dition than at present"
Amplified at Hearing.
The argument presented by the
several speakers before the commit
tee yesterday afternoon amplified the
contentious of the opposing sides as
set forth in the foregoing extract
from the Fisheries Commissions re-
port.
The hearing before the joint COM
mittee was opened shortly after 3
O. clock, when Chairman Rev. who al
lotted ninety minutes to each side,
called upon President Bloxom, of the
Virginia Oystermen's Protective Asso-
citation for the case for the repeal of
the law Mr.. Bloxom spoke briefly
describing the hardships the law
works upon the tongers who during
the present re son get but ten cents a
bushel for their seed oysters and then
only when planters choose to buy
which is tnfrequently. Then he called
upon others, limiting their speeches.
to present specific cases. Secretary j.
B. Jones. of the association. was the
first to be heard.
Rev. w. w. Royal. of York County
formerly u missionary to China. who
as HoW Ntidt Va " ei'NP ~
churches, described the people de-
pendent for their living upon the oy-
ster industry. He disabused the
minds of some who appeared to have
an impression that they are rough ana
have little regard for the law. He
pictured them as hardy, home-loving
people---"their manhood true; their
womanhood pure"--who believe in
sobriety and industry.
Hartlships Are Described.
"If tidal wave should wash over
their country and leave them desoiate
the people of the Commonwealth
would at once head an appeal for aid
and relieve. their suffering" declared
Mr.. Royal. And now that bankruptcy
faces them, they should have relief.
! He appealed to the committee to work
for the repeal of the law which places
kheavy burden upon them.
| The hardships encountered by the
/ tongers in their efforts to provide g
! living. from the waters. for themselves
and their families were recounted by
several of those who spoke. Sin
! certify rang in the voices or those who
1 pleaded with the committee for &C
! ton that would give relief. Patho'
rar, through the recital of incidents In
the struggle that the tongers engage
In TO earn living.
One speaker. a man OF family. who
by thrift In times when better price:
were paid, had laid aside funt
against the future, told that his saw
! ings are being slowly and steadily de-
pleted. Since December FL, he said
he has made $125. and to do tina
he travelled sixty four miles. He told
the story of Christmas In which hi.
little girl, who had written to Santa
j nf oil fafipH
| to get them, because times were
hard" The child understood that 4
! the Legislature repealed the oyste,
! law Santa Claus would be able to gel
the gloves next year. and she Ia look
! Jng to the Legislature TO help hel
! patron saint into better days
VIII be Worse Say Packers.
The packers case was conducted by
Captain Won Nyvenheim, who. speak.
ing of the States interest in the oyster
industry, declared the oyster rock.
among the States great natural as
sets. THE State" he said. has pro.
tected these beds for years. and at ar
expense of hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars. These beds have been the
means OF giving a living to thousands
OF people in years gone by and will
do the same for many years to come
provided they are protected" He con
tended that IL the market Is extend
ed by legislative action the rocks will
soon be depleted. and the situation
| then VIII be worse for the tongers
than now
L. Fuerstein, of Norfolk, speaking
against the repeal of the law. said the
conditions are the result of depression
In the last five years. He told of the
oyster pollution scare which greatly
harmed the industry. then of the finan-
cial depression. which struck the in
dustry heavy blow just as IL was re-
covering from the effects of the
scare" He told of sharp competition
, and blames 1t for making prices low.