REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Ill 



evidenceof pollution, and had, in fact, the samo general appearance as the film above 

 described at Terre Haute The peculiar odor of thi.s tarry material was easily 

 obtained, in almost any eddy along the bank where fine drift had accumulated, by 

 raking up a little of this from tho bottom, and the same odor could occasionally be 

 got from the bank by standing at tho edge of such an eddy when the wind was blow- 

 ing across it. It was universally said, however, by those with whom I talked, that at 

 this time of year, and especially under conditions existing, these appearances were 

 at their minimum. 



I systematically questioned over 20 men at Terre Haute, Marshall, Darwin, Old 

 York, and Hutsonville, examining them separately, and making full notes of their 

 statements at the time. Although it was not possible for me to take sworn evi- 

 dence, a comparison of these various statements with each other leaves no doubt of 

 the substantial accuracy of most of them. They include reports from fishermen, 

 business men, fish-dealers, and those who have bought anil cooked damaged fish, as 

 well as statements from the Fuel Gas Company, superintendent of the Gaslight 

 Company, the city engineer of Terre Haute, and other prominent citizens. I may 

 summarize the statements with respect to injuries to fish by saying that this whole 

 mass of evidence, together with an indefinite amount of general conversation by 

 others, was to the effect that the fishing industry along Wabash River has been 

 practically destroyed at Terre Haute itself, and badly injured for at least 50 miles 

 down the stieam — beyond which my visit did not extend — by the presence in the 

 water of oily and tarry waste, traceable to the oil wells and gas works, one or both, 

 at Terre Haute. 



Although three experienced fishermen gave some evidence that fish were killed in 

 winter under tho ice by accumulations of this waste, I was not fully satisfied that 

 this was true. There can be no doubt at all, however, that they are largely rendered 

 inedible, cattish and buffalo most frequently, but no species escaping wholly. The 

 game fishes, the sheepshead, and the so-called pike perch are seemingly least liable 

 to the injury. It is a curious fact, repeatedly stated to me. that the whole body of 

 a fish may not bo impregnated, but that the parts about the fins are most likely to 

 be atfected. The fact that catfishes are so much more susceptible in this particular 

 than other species is explained by the fishermen, in part, by their naked skins. There 

 is considerable reason to believe that fish which would otherwise pass upstream are 

 kept below by this pollution, and as it unquestionably extends everywhere during 

 seasons of overflow, it may easily have a serious etfect upon the eggs and young. 

 The contamination is, indeed, the most marked during the first two months of the 

 season after the breaking of the ice, a time when fishing operations are most active, 

 and coincident likewise, in part, with tho spawning seasons of some important 

 species. There is no doubt that the heavier portions of this waste settle in still 

 water, and thus permeate the mud and drift accumulations on tho bottom in a way 

 to make it possible that they may have an injurious effect on the invertebrate animal 

 life of the river, on which fish largely depend for food. Its accumulation in and 

 beneath the ice in winter, testified to by several of my witnesses, should be taken 

 into account in considering the importance of its effects. 



It seems to me quite impossible to make a definite intelligent estimate of the ratio 

 of damage or the amount of loss which this contamination of the river has caused. 

 It has unquestionably compelled a considerable number of men to abandon fishing, 

 and has reduced the income of others endeavoring to make a living by that business. 

 Statistical information is, however, quite beyond my present reach, and I am equally 

 unable to make any definite recommendations as to remedial measures. This last is 

 evidently a question for an engineer rather than for a zoologist. 



Respecting the fuel gas company, I beg to say that the president of the company, 

 Mr. H. P. Townley, gave mo every desired opportunity to examine their works, and 

 assured me that they would be glad to do anything that wo might indicate to correct 

 any trouble due to their waste. Tho superintendent of the gaslight company, Mr. 

 M. N. Dial], was also communicative, but seemed to attach but little importance to 

 the waste from their works. 



