Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-03
ACT
To CHECK GRAB
Of THE TRUST
Take Matter Up With Senator
Brown and Governor--Peti
ti0n is Circulated

Action to stop the grabbing of the
public oyster lands of Raritan bay
and River by the big oyster interests,
known among the private oyster men
as the monopoly" has been started
by the various oystermen, who depend
on these lands for their living,
through Attorney Thomas Brown of
this city. Even at the present time.
the monopoly has gained such
control of the oyster lands in Raritan
river that it is impossible for the
oystermen to work in their former
places, and they are seeking to re-
tain the only public oyster lands left,
which are situated in the bay below
the New York and New Jersey Monu-
ment off Keansburg.
So serious has the conditions be-
come that the oystermen have started
a petition, to be sent to acting Cover
nor William N. Runyon. urging him
to exercise his influence as governor of
the State of New Jersey to prevent
granting of the leases to the 'monop-
oily" and to arrange for a hearing OF
the petitioners. 1t is expected that
the petition will have more than a
thousand SignerS.
These leases are not granted out
right to the members of the "monop-
oly," as the law prohibits such pro-
cedure, but they are granted to in
dividuals who, it is understood act
as the cats paw for the monopoly,
and then turn TIE leases over to them
The private oysterrnen pay the state
$5 a year for the privilege of taking
the oysters cut of the water. while
those taking out lease sometimes
pay as low as 50 an acre for the land
for a short time declared. 1t has been
possible in some instances to dig from
8 900 to 1000 bushels of oysters from
an acre.
Under the present law one cannot
take seed oysters from the Raritan
river after May 1. An oysterman,
Ribert Sheppard by name, was arrest
ed and taken before Recorder Pick
ersgill last week, on the charge of
digging these seed oysters. However,
the case was dropped, as no one press
ed the charge, but at the same time
that Sheppard was digging the seed,
which are located between the rail-
road and the county bridges over the
Raritan river, two of the dredges be-
linging to one of the big concerns
seed, and although Sheppard was ar
rested, the men on the dredges were
not molested, but only given a warn
ing.
From $50 to IT'S men in this city
are making a living in the oyster
business, and it is estimated that al
least 1000 men in Middlesex and Mon
mouth counties are engaged in the
oyster business. These will be effect
ed and thrown out of a livelihood II
the monopoly" grab is continued.
Not only is the petition to Governo'
Runyon being signed, but Senator
Brown has alos taken up the matter
with the Governor and the Shell Fish
| cry department urging that the ob1ec-
| tors to the leases be given hearing
The two kilograms sent by Senator
/ Brown follow:
"Hon. William N. Runyon,
"Plainfield, N. j.
Uniformed this morning by com
mittee of oystermen from Raritar
river and Raritan bay that Shell Fish
| cry Department is contemplating
lease to private interests of the mos
valuable public oyster lands in the
waters referred to. Have been re
quested to obtain hearing for obJec
| tors.
Will you please communicate will
the Shell Fishery Department to gran
hearing, and use your influence In thu
meantime to keep the valuable oystel
and clam beds from threatened mo
nopoly.
Senator Middlesex County"
The other telegrwam is:
"Peter Cozier. Newport, N. j.
"Great opposition to manner Il
;, which leases are being granted II
! Raritan river and Raritan bay by tn
. Shell Department of Fisheries. Pleas
! give obiectors a chance to be hear,
before any further leases are grant
ed.
4 (Continued on page ID