240 



3rd. Is it necessary to have a close season, and what months ? In answer to 

 this question I should say from experience and observation, yes, unless the supply 

 be replenished every year, and even then I should be in favour of it, with severe- 

 penalties for catches during spawning season. Fish caught during spawning^ 

 period are not palatable, and by the necessarily immense waste and destruction of 

 spawn the work of the different Commissioners while not rendered nugatory are 

 very materially injured in results, and I venture to suggest here, although perhaps- 

 not an opportune point, that where Commissioners have no houses, the fry might 

 be impregnated on the water at the time and place of making the catch. 



4th. Would a license system be an advantage ? It seems to me there can 

 hardly be any but an affirmative answer to it. This country being a I'ree country,, 

 and our system of taxation supposed to be uniform, and many of the fishermen 

 being of slender means, license should not be excessive so as to become onerous^ 

 creating a monopoly, and thus shut out poorer or middle classes. The power to- 

 license should be asserted, and the absence of a license when its production is- 

 required should be prima facie evidence of its non-existence and the guilt of the 

 accused. These licenses should be issued and charges for them collected by the 

 warden or other properly designated officials. A register of these, properly icept- 

 would also be valuable in the obtaining of statistics and possibly lead to the 

 detection of violators of the statutes. 



5th. Should some restrictions be made on number of nets for space of water T 

 To this I should say no, as it is undemocratic. Our great lakes being great high- 

 ways, let all take their chances untrammeled by any restrictions except those 

 tending to increasd supply, and thereby the opportunity for remunerative labour,. 



6th, Should a limit be put on size of fish marketed ? I should say yes, and 

 let the phni^ihment be confiscation of the entire package, keg or barrel in which 

 the size prohibited is discovered. 



7th. What method should be adopted for enforcing laws and regulations T 

 This it seems to me is a matter for the Legislatures of the several states. 



8th. Can uniform laws and regulations be made by all the States and Canada ? 

 One can readily discern the advantage of such a uniformity, as it would lead to 

 uniformity of decision, probably, in legal questions, but cannot be answered any 

 more readily. 



If I may be pardoned the digression, I would like to say, in connection with 

 matters under discussion, that I think it would be advisable in order to save any 

 and all questions that might arise as to State authority and jurisdiction, that it 

 would tend to great and general benefit to formulate at your session, for intro- 

 duction at the December session of Congress and secure its enactment into law, 

 a bill giving, as far as may be necessary, to the several States bordering upon 

 the Great Lakes, authority to protect the results of the work of their Commis- 

 sioners, and authority to protect the fishing interests, with, of course, proper 

 restrictions, protecting alike the single person as well as the corporate interests' 

 engaged therein. I suggest herein, the employment of a suitable person at a fair 

 compensation, to be borne share and share alike by the Commissions participating 

 in your meeting, to attend the next session of Congress and secure the passage 

 of such legislation as may be considered by you, after discussion, necessary. This- 

 could be supplemented by resolutions adopted by the different State Commissions 

 and by letters written personally to your several Senators and members of the 

 House, and it would also be a valuable aid in securing this legislation, for the 



