and thoroughly interested men upon State Fish Commissions, 

 its existence would be amply warranted, and it would deserve 

 well of the country. In the main, the gentlemen at present 

 comprising the several State Commissions are men of char- 

 acter and capacity ; but some of them do not give of their 

 time and talent all the attention their work seems to re- 

 quire of them. 



ORGANIZATION OF STATE COMMISSIONS. 



Thorough organization of the work of a Fish Commission 

 is as essential to its greatest influence as it is in business en- 

 terprises carried on by private individuals or corporations. 



(i). There must be regularity of meetings for consultation 

 and the general planning of work. All adv^mcement cannot 

 be expected from the employes, no matter how capable and 

 intelligent. When Commissioners know what is going on, 

 and assume direction of the general plan of work, are watch- 

 ful of, and check unnecessary expense, and by their own work 

 secure suitable appropriations for improvement and enlarge- 

 ment of the work, they get better service from their em- 

 ployes, the general tone of the work done improves and the 

 results are vastly greater to the public. 



Then also, regular and frequent meetings lead to frequent 

 consultation about the discharge of official duty, the effect of 

 which is to give a steadier and more even impulse to improve- 

 ment in plans and methods. It secures more general interest 

 in every member of the board and neutralizes the tendency to 

 concentration of direction in the hands of one or of a limited 

 number. It equalizes the responsibility. It brings home to 

 each member of the Board the oft needed reminder that he 

 has an actual duty to perform, requiring his thought and per- 

 sonal attention. 



(2). There must be a fair division of labor among the Com- 

 missioners. Where this is done systematically, it will result' 

 in securing the best results in many ways. It gives equal 

 means of knowledge of the needs of the various departments 



