REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXXIII 



gratuitous service of tbe nature mentioned, to the Eastern, Maine Cen- 

 tral, and British and North American roads of New England, and the 

 Provinces. 



One important consideration in asking from the roads the facilities 

 in question is found in the fact that an apj)ropriation in lump is made 

 by Congress in the interest of the community, and that whatever re- 

 duction of cost can be accomplished allows a greater expenditure in some 

 other direction. Twice the amount of the annual appropriation could 

 readily be used ; and as the number of streams and ponds to be sup- 

 plied with fish is of enormous extent, requiring many years, even on 

 the most liberal scale of operation, before they can all be provided for, 

 a selection is, of course, necessary, and is usually made along the routes 

 of greatest co-operation on the part of the transportation companies. 

 There is nothing invidious in such a selection ; and as the railroad com- 

 panies are interested in the prosperity of the regions traversed by them, 

 they feel justified in drawing the action of the Commission in their di- 

 rection. 



I may also mention that the Pennsylvania and the Old Colony Rail- 

 road companies prepared s[)ecial tickets facilitating the transportation 

 of the ofQcers and employes of the Commission to and from Wood's 

 Holl. 



While making the acknowledgments of the United States Fish Com- 

 mission to the railroads for service rendered, what the latter do in 

 the interest of the work of the fi.^h commissioners of the several States 

 should not be overlooked. 



In most instances where an active body of State fish commissioners 

 is at work, they can obtain, with little or no difficulty, free passes while 

 on official business, and free transportation for their fish. In a number 

 of the Western States the commissioners devote special attention to- 

 wards gathering up fish that have been stranded by overflows of the 

 rivers or otherwise dangerously situated, and returning them to the 

 channel; many millions of the most valuable varieties being annually 

 thus saved. 



Most of the State work in question has been performed in Virginia, 

 North and South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, etc. 



It would be invidious to mention the railroads, as I am not aware that 

 any application has yet been refused. 



Foreign Steamship Companies. — Assistance has also been rendered 

 the Commission during the year by the various steamshii) companies, 

 particularly the Cunard, the French Transatlantic, and the North Ger- 

 man Lloyds, as will be referred to hereafter. 



By other PARTIES. — Mr. Paul Schultz, of Oregon, of the North- 

 western Trading Company, offered free transportation to any one who 

 might be sent out by rhe Commission to study the fisheries of Alaska. 

 I hope to be able to make use of this proposition at an early date. 

 S. Mis. 46 III 



