198 American Fisheries Society 



securing all the money needed. Over $100,000 annually 

 is made for the protection and increase of game, with game 

 farms and preserves controlled by the state, and all of it in 

 the interest of the sportsmen. Vet this is an interest that 

 does not in any way affect the consumer or commercial 

 interests. Game is protected from sale, and to be enjoyed 

 must be the product of the hunt or gift. I am not in any 

 sense finding fault with the protection and propagation of 

 game. It is a magnificent measure and in this state, under 

 Commissioner Wheeler's management, has reached the high 

 water mark of success, being wholly self-sustaining by its 

 business provisions. But I cannot help drawing compari- 

 sons, as to the direct value to the people generally,, between 

 that interest and the preservation to the ordinary consumer 

 of the immense output of food represented by the fishes of 

 the state which might be conserved for their benefit with less 

 expenditure. 



Thence, the question of securing such measures as will 

 insure a future supply at a moderate cost to the people seems 

 to be justified. We are now at a point in our state where we 

 shall have to meet these contingencies quickly, if the future 

 is to be considered at all. I presume similar conditions exist 

 elsewhere, and while they may vary to some extent, accord- 

 ing to environments, vet the one great fact remains every- 

 where : Fish are an important factor in the food supply, and 

 to conserve them we must meet and conquer adverse condi- 

 tions or find too late that neglect has proved fatal. 



The decrease in the output of car]) in the Illinois and 

 Mississippi Rivers is quite sixty per cent of its highest 

 figures, and is a serious matter, commercially and from the 

 standpoint of home food which is furnished for the taking. 



I note these points and offer them to you and others 

 interested in such matters with a view to provoking, if pos- 

 sible, discussion that may result in overcoming the condi- 

 tions, or at least cause attention to be drawn to them with 

 ultimate good results. In my opinion, no greater work has 

 ever been taken up by government or state than the conser- 



