FISH PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION. IgI 
of Maryland, who, either by purchase or by lease, secure absolute control of water 
fronts in the tide-water counties for their ducking clubs and shooting grounds. 
These gentlemen, among the foremost citizens of our state, and largely residents 
of the city, are jealous of the rights that they claim they have paid for, and in 
order that they may preserve them are in constant conflict with the resident 
fishermen, who ply their industry in the waters fronting or adjacent to these 
shores. Against these men of wealth and influence there is small opportunity 
to prevail with the legislators when there is a conflict between the rights of the 
duckers and the fishermen. 
There are a number of other reasons which, in my opinion, prevent the 
passage of proper fish protective laws, but these are sufficient for my purpose. 
Now as to the remedy. I shall offer but one, but I think it will be suf- 
ficiently radical to bring down on my head all the knocks that I can stand up 
under. You will remember that I made this suggestion at the last annual meet- 
ing of the American Fisheries Society: 
Admitting the necessity for protection of young fish after they have been 
placed in the waters by the States and the United States, the question that 
confronts us is, how? I believe that, if it comes within the constitutional powers 
of the Government, Congress should pass proper interstate laws for the protec- 
tion of fish. 
Thousands of dollars are being spent, practically wasted, for fish propaga- 
tion in Maryland. The state has persistently neglected to provide for protec- 
tion. Not until after fifty years of constant agitation and the practical exter- 
mination, commercially, of the oyster, has Maryland been awakened (and that 
but two years ago) to the fact that the oyster in Maryland must be protected 
or exterminated. If it has taken this long to awaken to the serious condition 
of the oyster, how long will it take to recognize the necessity for the protection 
of the fish, and thus save to the people of our own state and other communities 
and from extermination one of the greatest natural food products of the world? 
Mr. Bryan, at the conference of the governors of the states held in May 
last in Washington, had this to say with reference to the protection of the great 
natural resources of the country—that he regarded ‘‘the development of water 
transportation as essentially a national project, because the water courses run 
by and through many states.’”’ In my judgment it is just as important for the 
National Government to protect the natural industry which has its life and 
being as a food product in and under the waters of this country as it is to enlarge 
and protect the waterways for the carrying away from and bringing to us the 
great commerce of the world. I believe it more important, because the products 
of the water provided food to man long before he thought of the creation of 
great fortunes by the use of water courses for commercial purposes. 
