Evening star., 1922-01-19
DIR. SMITH RESIGNS
ASF|SHER|ES HEAD
Commissioner Had Advanced
From Bottom to Top in 36
Years in Bureau.

DR.. Hugh NJ. Smith, who has Deen
United States commissioner of fish
cries since 1918 and who entered the
service of that bureau thirty-six years
ago. has rendered His resignation. The
Department of Commerce gives no in
dication as to his successor, although
there are said to be several names
under consideration.
DR.. Smith Is the only fish commits
sioner since the establishment Of the
bureau who has risen from the very
service under the first commissioner.
Prof. Spencer Baird. and has the
unique experience Of serving all his
predecessors in office. His admins
lration has been noteworthy rs to
scientific and economic accomplish
noteworthy In that he has kept the
bureau entirely free from politics, Al
though that branch of the govern
ment could easily become a potent
political organization. as was evil
denced by some OF his predecessors.
no criticism of political bias or activ-
ity has ever been made of his admin
istration.
EhAeieat Organization.
Those familiar with the fisheries
problems of this country have united
in giving DR.. Smith the credit for the
way in which he has built up an eff
cient organization, both as to Office
personnel and field service. The re-
sponsible staff at the headquarters of
the bureau here in Washington COM
prises the best experts in the country,
all selected by the commissioner from
the ranks. after a demonstration of
their fitness in subordinate capacities,
Harmonious cooperation with the
fisheries bureaus of the several states
has been a consistent feature of his
administration. and 1t is certain that
that part of the general public which
has knowledge of the widespread i'm
provements brought about under his
supervision. including many thou
sands Of anglers, will regret his de-
parture.
DR.. Smith was born in the District
of Columbia, as were his ancestors
for several geherations He has al
ways lived in Washington. He was
Influenced to take up scientific work
by the interest awakened by prof.
Baird while Smith was still q pupil
In high school. He entered the serv-
ice in 1886. He was assistant in
charge Of the division of fishery in.
dustries from 1893 to 1897. and from
the latter date until 1903 was assist
ant in charge of the division of in
quiry respecting food fishes and the
fishing grounds.
Services Abrond.
From 1903 until 1913 he served as
deputy commissioner of fisheries, a
position specially created by Con-
eress. In 1900 he represented the
United States at the first information
al fishery congress at Paris: in 1905
he again represented this country at
the third congress at Vienna, and in
1908 was representative of the United
States ut the fourth congress, held
here, and served as it's secretary gem
eral. In 1901 and 1909 he was al.
rector of the marine fisheries bioloxi-
cal laboratory Of the bureau at Woods
Hole. Mass. From 1907 until 1870 he
expedition, for the investigation and
development of the fisheries and
aquatic resources OF the Philippines
Islands, and in 1897 and 1905 was
president Of the American Fisheries
Dr. Smith was appointed expert spe-
cial assistant to the United States
counsel at the arbitration Of the north
Atlantic fisheries dispute held at The
Hague in 1910, and in the same year
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