Evening journal., 1919-10-28
FISHERMEN WANT to-
KEEP STAKES DOWN
Colonel Jervey Gives Hear
ing to Pound Owners
Along Atlantic Coast
WOULD MARK POLES
WITH NIGHT LIGHTS

against lle removal OF lue pOles De
longing TO the fishermen in the dis
trict between Barnegat Bay and Cape
Charles. during the winter months. Co.
onel J. p. Pervey United States Engin-
eer for this district, presided.
The law requiring the flsh-pound
owners 10 remove their poles has been
on the books for several years. but has
not been strictly enforced Of late, as
The government felt that IL would work
hardship on the owners. However,
>sterday's hearing was TO determine
whether or not the poles will be re-
moved for the winter season on or be-
fore December %.
10 was commended by The Ship Cap
tains' Association OF Philadelphia. that
the pounds constituted a menace to
navigation, but this was denied by the
fishing interests.
Colonel Jervey read the law which
provides that all flsh-pOund owners
shall remove their stakes and piles by
December % OF each year.
Congressman 5. C. Bland. OF the first
district OF Virginia, represented the. fish
pound owners. He stated, in behalf Of /
his clients, that he saw no objection 10 |
the keeping OF the poles in the water, /
provided they were properly lighted at /
all seasons. lie emphasized the fact |
mat he had no sympathy with fish (
pound owners who did not keep their
lights burning.
The opinions OF three United States
lighthouse inspectors were read. These 4
reports showed that the stakes would
constitute no menace. TO navigation IL
properly lighted.
Has there been any loss OF life or
property, due to these poles2" asked l
Colonel Jervey. The answer was IN the [!
negative.
The hearing took high cost OF liv-
ing angle when Congressman Bland
remarked: should not everything be
done to increase the food supply, and
cut down the high cost OF living? Fish Z
IS among the cheapest Of foods. aud II
these men are made 90 have their stakes !
removed by December p, that will mean
That they will have 10 start the removal
Of the poles about October T. Thus {
they would lose their Autumn run" OF
fish, which is usually the biggest catch 2
Of The season. This would mean two q
things, loss for the season for the
fishermen, and definite increase in the
cost Of living condition I'm this section.
due to the consequent scarcity Of FISH" s
Br Bland brought several witnesses {
to prove that the pounds. il properly
lghted would constitute no menace TO s
life or property in any way.
\ lengthy statement was then read, 5
which was written by Ballard brothers,
which purported to show the true con- S
ditions along the coasts, and why the
stakes should not be pulled each fall
At the conclusion OF this paper Colonel
Jervey said TO NJ. T.. Ballard. one Of the S
Ballard brothers:
MY reports show that your firm is il
the worst along the coast. as to the
maintaining Of lights. 10 is unpleasant
for me TO say this. and I mean TO in
iect no personal eloy-~ut into the mat T
ter" s.
Mr.. Ballard was nOnplussed at this.
but launched into a defense Of his CT
firm i'm the matter Of keeping lights
burning on their poles Its not our r.
fault If they go out" he sad. Eve do 1
our best"
Colonel Jervey said that not only the
Ballard firm but several others had
given the Government much trouble
with their lights. lie added that il was Ia
his duty TO see that the lights were C.,
burning, and that it was the duty Of the st
fish men to keep their lights burning h,
under all circumstances. Va
Colonel Jervey said: ut is not my ca
wish TO press the prosecution. l have v,
been very lenient in the past" ed
Representative Bland said at this ca
point: ~ believe that the fishermen
should observe the letter Of the law. ct
II they DO not, they deserve to have al
their licenses revoked" IN
\ list Of delinquents was then read by
o. Hs,.H
most prominent Atlantic coast fishing il
firms. he
Colonel Jervey then invited a general m
discussion Of the points involved in In
iic law. w. 5. Downs. secretary OF IN
nited States Fish Association, made a on
ilsterly thrust when he said: 1T is IN
lear that the navigation interests are II,
rot vitality interested in his hearing. he
My? Because they have no representa- Hr
i've here" He Then went on Fr
IF the fishermen have to pull their
takes every year, they will be doing
lOthing but pulling stakes and driving
hem for six months out of every HC
welye. This will mean a great cost No
# labor. and a loss Of half the seasons fol
atch. The men do not often change ca
heir locations, but fish in the same Pc
'0unds, year after year" =
Il recommend an electric light. No ma
rouble Will be experienced with that, ca:
think, such as has been experienced in
Win the acetylene lights. suggest me
nat Colonel Jervey have a man con-
lantly inspecting on the district This col
VII make the fishermen keep their ph
ghts it," lri
Colonel Jervey wished TO know why see
le fall season was the most profitable sey
the fish men. The reply was "the 4
sh are going into the warmer south anC
rn waters at that time. They are also G
)ming out OF the inlets back of the da,
lands along this part OF the coast. and ing
IS from November 70 to the middle A
December that the greatest catches lnft
re made. II the men had TO pull nm lbet
dynamite their poles every wear il fCha
ould mean that their ledgers would we
low loss instead OF a profit" Md
A letter from a flshermen's associa- wa
on at Wildwood. N. j.. was read. and Me,
fused much aW sement among The Wh
N pound men. In reference TO This OF
tier Mr.. Downs said: "Those little Acc
)ok and line fishermen want 10 have Bal
C whole ocean for themselves. Wbv er,
ould these men (the fsh-pound own of
- stop earning their livlihood. inst the
let IA few sports have a good time" Shil
Just prior 10 the end OF the hearing q
lionel Jerycy made a short. concise the
ltcmcnt summing up The results of the IL
Hnaa