Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-27


F. w. Deetcrs. special game
warden of the State of Virginia
and also a representative of the Bureau
of Fisheries. has brought universal
praise from all local anglers. This col
umn has received numerous telephone
calls from fishermen inquiring where
Decters could be located in order 10
personally tell him how grateful they
were for his good work i'll apprehend-
ing these violators in Virginia.
The Izaak Walton League TOOK up
the matter at a recent meeting ana al
rected Edward c. Kemper, chairman
of the bass protection committee, 10
draft the following letter to DeeterS:
Upon getting back to Washington from
an extended absence l find copies OF
The Evening Star of February 7, con-
corning the splendid work which you
did on Neabsco Greek III arrcsting net
fishermen who were violating the law
of Virginia by taking bass III nets.
First, let me say that the bass pro-
lection committee of the washington
Chapter of the I2aak Walton League
Joins with the thousands of other
anglers in Washington and Virginia,
who feel grateful to you.
AT the next meeting of the wash
ington Chapter report Will be mace
by the bass protection committee OF
which l am chairman. and ! feel sure
that the chapter will take some acton
which will express its appreciation 10
you in tangible form.
LAS of interest there is sent here
with some documents which we have
gotten out from time to time about the
determination of the bass by the net
fisherman on the lower Potomac. Inc
story is a familiar one to you. l know.
Since these statements were issued laws
have been passed prohibiting the eX-
ploration of bass in Virginia and the
District of Columbia. but as YOU know
the net fishermen of Virginia con-
tinueS to take the bass in Seines and
trap nests and ship them to Maryland
and Pennsylvania. We are working
now with the Maryland and PennSyl-
vania Conservation Commissions and
will ultimately succeed in closing these
two remaining markets for our princl-
pal game fish,
1T would be appreciated if you
would let me have your address, Tor
among other things l wish To propose
your name to the IZaak Walton League
for a membership-at-la large and II you
will accept that membership, which
carries with it years subscription to
Outdoor American. I will be glad. I
believe ii would be better in the work
which you are doing for you TO hold
a membership in the league at large
rather than in the Washington chapter.
Il take the liberty of sending copies
of this letter to Mr. Leech Of the
Bureau of Fisheries. and also to Mr..
NJ D. Hart, secretary of the Commits
sion of Game and Inland Fisheries at
Richmand. Va: also 10 Perry Miller,
conservation editor of The Evening
Star, whose writings have done more
to conserve the black bass than any
other one factor,
With deep appreciation Of what you
are doing and more power TO you In
carrying on a vitality important con-
servation work. ! am. sincerely yours,
ED c. kEMPER."
One OF our leading sports goods stores
also called this column expressing APP
probation OF the good work Deeters has
done in the past and is doing TO appre-
bend violatorS of the bass law in Viz
ginia. The store informed this column
that many of its customers wanted to
make a donation to Deeters to encour-
age him in his work. Those desiring 10
contribute should communicate with
Ollie Atlas of the Atlas Sports Goods
Co.
Judge Snow OF Alexandria In talking
10 the writer last week also spoke very
highly Of the work done by this game
warden in making the arrests. Judge
Snow said there Is some new legislation
before the State Legislature giving the
Commission OF Game and Inland
Fisheries more power TO regulate fishing
IN tide waters. He says this legislation
also provides for special game warden
to patrol the shores of the Potomac to
catch violators of the bass laws.
When Glen c. Leach of the Bureau
OF Fisheries was informed of this pro-
posed new legislation By the State of
Virginia he offered to provide a 30-!oot
motor boat with cabin for the use OF
the State II the bill becomes law
rms boat, Mr.. Leach says. will be placed
IN the Potomac without any cost TO the
State OF Virginia.
In transmitting a copy Of his letter Ia
Deeters 10 Mr.. NJ D. Hart, Secretary of
me Virginia Commission Of Game and
Inland Fisheries Mr.. Kcmpcr says:
now understand that there is n
Dill pending before the Legislature to
put a special game warden on the low
er POTOMAC 10 break up the Illegal
taking OF bass In that section. | hone
that is being sponsored by you and re-
ceiVlng the vigorous support Of the
commission. Is there anything we can
do at this end OF the line TO aid YOU?
Perry Miller Of The Washington
Star, who has awakened widespread!
public concern about the determination
OF the bass by the net fishermen, tells
me that officials Of the Bureau OF Fish
cries might render some valuable CO.
operation TO your commission II spe-
ciai game warden Is authorized One
such warden giving absolute protection
~ the bass would be equivalent to so
hatcherics and would restore TO the
Virginia side Of the Potomac such
splendid bass fishing that the State
would benefit by thousands Of dollars
and the net fishermen. who now make
thin living by violating the law would
make real money catering 10 the
anglers. The history Of the bass in
Maine is "A striking example Of what
can se done and of the splendid re-
turn 10 the natives once net fishing Is
completely abolished.
Would appreciate word from you
on this matter and any information
that you may have about the effect