OF MASSACHUSETTS. 151 



and were of inferior quality. In time, doubtless, when the causes which 

 produced these effects had been studied, a stable and well-ordered in- 

 dustry would have resulted. It is but natural to assume that where 

 oysters grew in a " wild " state, cultivated ones could likewise be grown. 

 Such an outcome, however, was not destined to follow. The grants 

 had been so given that they all expired at the same time. When this 

 date arrived, the majority of the inhabitants of Marion were of the 

 opinion that the oyster grants would yield far better returns if utilized 

 merely for the quahaugs which grew naturally on them, and the 

 whole harbor was consequently thrown open as common ground. From 

 that date the quahaug fishery has waned almost to the point of ex- 

 tinction, but no efforts have been made to resurrect the old oyster 

 industry, which has practically disappeared. 



At Bourne the industry began with bright prospects. The present 

 business, though somewhat impoverished, still possesses those inherent 

 resources which are capable of developing a more extensive industry. 



At Wareham the business was of slower growth and more logical 

 development, and it has continued to increase, until at present the 

 town possesses an important industry. It has struggled with many 

 problems which have retarded its growth, and which still embarrass it. 

 These are primarily problems of legislation, as the industry stands in 

 need of better regulations before it can attain its maximum develop- 

 ment. 



In all these difficulties, which have been briefly outlined and hinted 

 at, the main source of annoyance has been the strife between two rival 

 factions, — the oyster and quahaug interests. These interests have ever 

 been at war, and the result has been almost fatally destructive to both. 

 The questions at stake in this controversy have been broad in their 

 general interest. The quahaug industry is essentially democratic, repre- 

 senting roughly labor as against capital, and demands that tidal flats 

 and waters be kept as common property for general use. The oyster 

 industry, on the other hand, is essentially exclusive, representing or- 

 ganized capital, and maintains that oyster grants are as much the sub- 

 ject of private ownership as farms and city lots. The whole aim of 

 legislation has been to reconcile these wholly opposite theories. The 

 problem has been complex and many-sided, and it is not strange that 

 the selectmen of the towns in question have been unable to harmonize 

 the two factions or pass' regulations suitable to both parties. Certain 

 it is that in trying to benefit both they have benefited neither, and the 

 present confusion has resulted. 



The matter is one certainly of sufficient importance to merit attention 

 from the State. It is not merely local. The whole Commonwealth is 

 interested vitally in the development of its industries, and it is unwise 

 to allow so important an industry as the oyster fishery to remain solely 

 in the hands of local authority, especially when local authority has 

 shown itself unable to cope with the problem. 



