70 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



fisheries and fishery resources of the United States as should in my judgment be 

 nuide at the World's Fair in Chicago in 18!K5. 



Such an exhildt sliouhl not only be an exposition of our Hshery resources, and of 

 the present conditions, metliods, and results of the fisheries, but should also show 

 the origin, progress, ]>iesent conditions, methods, and results of the inquiry in 

 regard to food-lishes and the tishing-groiinds — an in(|uiry which has been most fruit- 

 ful in I'csults, economic as well as scientiiic, and which has served as a model, a 

 stimulus, and an inspiration to other nations seeking the best means for the utiliza- 

 tion of the resources of their Avaters. 



The exhibit should show also the beginning and progress, as well as the present 

 condition, of the commercial fisheries, and the development of methods, apparatus, 

 vessels, and boats to meet the new conditions or exigencies arising from time to time. 

 It should show the origin and development of public fish-culture in the United 

 States, and the present conditions, methods, and results of the work of the U. S. 

 Fish Commission. 



The exhibit, in its essential features, would illustrate an industrial and economic 

 evolution, probably as distinctively characteristic of the genius of our peojjle as is 

 the evolution of our social and political institutions. 



Detailed estimates, aggregatiug' $150,000, were submitted as neces- 

 sary to carry out the plans of the exhibit proposed, and an allotment 

 of 40,000 feet of floor space indicated as requisite to provide for the 

 convenient and proper display of the exhibit contemplated. In the 

 estimates submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury provision was 

 made for a limited aquarial display in the Government building, hav- 

 ing for its object an exhibit of a series of the economic fishes of the 

 country, more especially those which have been bred artificially for 

 the i)urpose of stocking new waters or the improvement of the fisheries 

 in those waters to which the species are indigenous, but which had 

 been depleted by imjuovideut fishing. 



Tlie suggestion tliat an aquarial display was contemplated awakened 

 general interest and comnmnded such approval and expectation that 

 it was determined, if practicable, to enlarge greatly the plans first con- 

 templated, and make an extensive and systematic exhibit of the water 

 resources of our entire country, both marine and fresh. These plans 

 required the erection of an expensive building- with suitable plant for 

 installation and maintenance. It was recognized that it was not proper 

 to expect the (ieneral Government to appropriate so much money to a 

 building for temporary uses. The subject was brought to the attention 

 of the Director-General by the Commissioner of Fisheries, and the 

 ditticitlties of tlie enterprise discussed. In view of tlie interest and 

 instructiveness of the exhibit suggested, the directory of the Exi)osi- 

 tion determined to erect a suitable building according to the plans of 

 the Commissioner of Fisheries and to e([uipit with the necessary plant. 

 The Government Board of Control and Management undertook, in con- 

 junction and coiiperatioii with the Commissioner of Fisheries, to install 

 and maintain the: exhibit during the ])eriod of tlie l<]xi)ositi<)n. The 

 disi)Iay thus arranged for by the liherahty of the management and the 

 cooperation of tlie L^ S. Fisli Commission will doubtless be one of the 

 most novel, attractive, and interesting features of the Exposition. 



