Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-19
Monday, March 10, 1923.
AN APPEAL FOR OUR FISHER.
MEN

IAN Appeal to the Legislators Why
Liberal Appropriation Is Necessary
for the Department of Sea and Shore
Fisheries" is the title of commun-
ication from Horatio D. erie, direct
or Of the sea and shore fisheries. In
this he arrays facts, which it is i'm
portant the people should know. The
better the acquaintance Of people
with the sources of their food supply,
with the needs Of those engaged in
securing those food supplies, the bet
ter it will be for all concerned.
Director erie draws comparison
between the supply Of food obtained
through our fisheries with the food
obtained from our farms, between the
aid given by the State to agriculture
on the one hand and to the fisheries
on the other. These fisheries repre-
sent millions of dollars. Quantities
Of Maine cured salt fish and sardines
are shipped all over the world and he
calls attention to the fact that there
are approximately twelve thousand
fishermen "Who brave the storms of
winter and suffer untold hardship to
provide a livelihood for their fam
lilies" He believes they should be
protected by the strict enforcement
of just laws"
To enforce the laws. wardens are
needed, Mr.. erie argues. enough to
put the rogue out of business" and he
adds that with the small appropria-
tions the department has had the
past two years it has been impossible
to do the work as it should be done.
He finds the majority of fishermen
are honest citizens but declares the
traffic in short Holsters has had de-
grading effect all along the coast.
He wants wardens enough to put the
persistent violators out Of business.
Mr.. erie has had five years eXper-
fence in this department and has
been all his life acquainted with the
fishing interests and he thinks that
the past two years there has been
slipping back instead of going ahead.
He refers to the money which is be-.
ing expended in various ways to aid
the farmer and declares as much
should be done for the fishermen.
who has no schools to teach him
how to combat the pests and develop
his industry. Once the fisheries be-
come exhausted 1T means genera
tions, possibly ages and vast eXpend
itures Of money to bring them back
to abundance again. if they can be
brought back at ALL
a question he asks is surely worthy
of consideration: what would have
happened at the time the United
States entered the World War, if it
had not been for the fishermen" He
then asks whether we propose to turn
down those boys who volunteered,
sailed our ships and fought with the
courage and endurance. the qualities
required in their calling.
Mr.. erie writes at some length on
various phases Of the industry. OF
what may ne uOlle W plolcSl tHo Nou
and hake, the alewives, salmon and
Holsters and clans on our ten thou
sand acres of clam fats and i'll sum-
ming up declares: First we must
have laws that will stand the test of
enforcement and prosecution. second
a sufficient appropriation to enable
us to enforce those laws to the let
ter"
We would not attempt to say what
the Legislature should do in the way
of appropriations but have no hesi-
fancy in commencing Mr.. Cries ef-
fort to lay before the members of
that body the views born of his long
acquaintance with an industry which
deserves well at the hands of Maine.