Evening star., 1923-04-26
DR.. HUGH M. SMITH
TOSA|L T0A|D SIAM
X
Former U. S. Fisheries Com
missioner Will Direct De-
; veIopment of Resources.

Dr Hugh NJ. Smith Of this city,
United States commissioner of fish
sries from 1913 to 1922. will leave
Washington tomorrow for, Siam TO
serve as fisheries adviser for the gov
ernment of that oriental X ingdop1.
The Siamese legation here an
nounces that it has obtained DR..
Smiths services i'll this important ca :
rscity for a considerable period of
time. subject to extension by mutual
agreement. The necessary negotfa-
tions were conducted by the retiring
minister. Phya Prabha karavongse.
who is leaving to occupy the post OF
minister to the Court of St. James.
The Siamese governments action
in obtaining DR.. Smiths services fol-
lows its well known and highly sue
cessful policy Of securing accomplish
ed Americans as advisers in various
branches of law. diplomacy. industry
and science, fisheries problems COM
ing within the scope OF the last
two.
Slams Resources Great.
Siam is one of the most progress
sive OF eastern countries" said DR..
Smith on the eve of his departure,
"and is looking to the greatest pos
sible development along sane lines.
1t has great resources, some already
we'll developed, others. perhaps, un-
touched. 1t offers splendid field,
and l am glad of the opportunity"
Siam has a coast line of 1900 miles
long and also many large rivers. Its
fish supply is Of the greatest impor-
tance, for its 10000. 900 people eat Ash in
faet. 1t has been stated that they
would eat 1t every day if possible. but
the depletion Of its supply OF fresh
water fish makes this at present i'm
possible. Its fisheries have received
little. If any, scientific treatment and
consideration, and there appear to be
great possibilities in promoting its
fishing industry both by preventing
further waste and by building up
depleted resources.
Will Establish Hatcheries.
The Siamese government is anxious
fhat forms of fish culture work adapt
ed to their waters be Instituted, and
DR.. Smith is therefore taking with
him cultural apparatus to USE expert
mentally in various parts Of the king
dom, looking to eventual establish
rnent of hatcheries where most need
ed. When not in the field he will
make Bangkok, the capital. his head
quarters.
DR.. Smith is a native OF this city.
his ancestors for five generations
HASlHS llNSQ In tne DISTRICT w nile 4
Tupil in the high school his interest
in scientific matters was aroused by
Prof. Spencer Fullerton Baird. and
in 1856 he entered the bureau of
fisheries, then called the fIsh COM
mission, under Prof. Baird, who was
eerved, therefore, under all his pred
ecessors and was the only commits
sioner to have risen from the ranks.
He was succeeded by Henry UMa!-
ont mic Cd in
1892. s'' :" 'S'
Made Commissioner in 1918.
After passing upward through va
rious grades. DIR. Smith was appoint
ed deputy commissioner in 1903, this
position having been especially Cre-
ated by Congress. He served therein
ten years when he was promoted to
he commissioner.
The departing scientist represented
the government at various important
International fisheries gatherings He
travelled extensively to investigate
States, it's outlying posse sSions and
OF numerous foreign countries. A
number of his trips were into in
acce ssible regions. During his con-
nection with the bureau he was one
Of the worlds most voluminous con-
tributers to the literature of fisheries,
while his administration as commits
sioner was noteworthy, both from a
Scientlhc and an economic stand
point DR.. Smith is a former presi-
dent of the Biological Society and Of
the Cosmos Club.
Last September DR.. Smith visited
Uruguay at the request of the gov
ernment of that republic to investi-
gate and advise it concerning it's fur
seal industry. The Alaskan herds of
fur seals, now carefully protected and
tion of the United States fisheries
bureau. He returned last January.