The Rise And Decline Of The Ol^mpia Oyster 



was followed up by others, and finally all concerned 

 were taken care of to their satisfaction. 



STATE'S SALE OF REVERSIONARY RIGHTS. 



As time went on the investment of the Olympia Oyster 

 Growers in their grading and diking of oyster land be- 

 came enormous. As I have stated, the deeds to the oyster 

 land issued under the "Callow Act", both the original 

 deeds and the deeds to the isolated tracts, had a rever- 

 sionary provision under which the State could, if certain 

 conditions existed, reclaim the oyster land. The State 

 would have to make settlement with the owner, but the 

 owners felt uneasy at making these investments without 

 owning the fee simple title. Committees were appointed 

 to see if legislation might be passed to authorize the State 

 to deed outright to owners of "Callow Act" titles. This 

 was finally accomplished and, as shown by the Session 

 Laws of 1927, page 546, Sec. 140, this was authorized 

 and the procedure set out. Most of the oystermen per- 

 fected their titles under this act. Again co-operation won 

 out through the combined efforts of the oystermen 

 through their organization, the Olympia Oyster Grow- 

 ers Association. 



(47) 



