77 



are presented for consideration as an inquiry as to whether 

 this Society mic^ht not in the future occupy a still broader 

 sxDhere of usefulness in promoting the great work of hsh 

 culture. 



First. Should not this Society urge and demand the 

 absolute elimination of politics from all questions con- 

 cerning the organization or government of the United 

 States Commission and the various State Commissioners ? 

 The continued attacks upon the autonomy of the United 

 States Fish Commission are at once a menace and a warn- 

 ing. There are perhaps none of us who are not aware that 

 the success of fish culture depends upon an expert knowl- 

 edge gained through years of experience, and that the 

 direction of such work can only be successful in the hands 

 of one who is thoroughly familiar with the i)ast and present 

 aspect of fish culture, and who has comprehensive ideas of 

 the possibilities in its future. 



Second. Would not the infiuence and power for good of 

 this Society, as a great national organization, be greatly 

 enhanced by the establishment of State branches, having 

 again county organizations, as in the case of other bodies 

 having a far-reaching infiuence ; thus to secure the sym- 

 pathy and co-operation of all classes of our citizens, to 

 disseminate a correct knowledge of the value of fish culture, 

 and to establish an efficient system of observation and 

 esi3ionage of the waters of the country, without which 

 laws are inoperative ? It is well known that in the more 

 remote districts there is utter disregard of the laws enacted 

 for the preservation of game and fish, and that this is owing 

 largely to ignorance or a misconception of the effects of 

 such legislation, in the main believing it to be solely for 

 the benefit of certain favored classes. To disseminate a 

 proper knowledge of the work and to enlist more general 

 sympathy would alone constitute a broad field of use- 

 fulness. 



Third. Would not it be possible, through a national 



