Business Proceedings 201 



Mr. Graham, of Mass. : Secretary Redfield came here 

 and outlined the needs of the Bureau of Fisheries and 

 practically asked us to assist in furthering legislation in 

 aid of the Bureau. Many of the members would like to 

 do something, but if one man in Missouri and another 

 in Massachusetts, etc., each operates along his own line 

 and according to his own ideas, nothing will be accom- 

 plished. We must have concerted action, we must have 

 a plan to work on, and that is the only way in which 

 we can get results. I believe that a committee of five 

 men could be selected to work out some plan of operation 

 whereby every man in the Society, and every fish and 

 game commissioner may be able to assist. 



Mr. Crampton, of Connecticut: I heartily endorse 

 the sentiments expressed by the last speaker. In my State 

 the shad industry has been a very important one, but 

 there has been great pollution of the streams and this 

 year I am sorry to say that the shad fishery has been 

 a total failure. Action must be taken by the Federal 

 Government relative to our fisheries, there is no question 

 about that. The Italians with us have been exceedingly 

 destructive to the fisheries, by catching small fish. I have 

 seen a seine seventeen feet deep and eighty-one rods long, 

 with a pocket having a mesh smaller than a lead pencil. 

 Thousands of barrels of small fish have been taken and 

 sold by measure to be made into soups, etc., and this has 

 been outside of my jurisdiction. The statement made 

 by Congressman Linthicum is correct, — Federal action 

 must be taken and we should hasten to co-operate with 

 the Government in putting a stop to such waste. The 

 weakfish has entirely disappeared from our waters, I 

 have not known of a striped bass being caught this 

 year, and the sturgeon has entirely disappeared from the 

 Connecticut River. 



Mr. Alexander, of Mississippi: It seems to me that 

 it is eminently proper than this Society should go on 

 record as recognizing the recommendation of Secretary 

 Redfield, and I believe that a committee should be appoint- 

 ed to consider these recommendations and report to the 



