2282 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. As far as regards the totals given there they are approximately 

 correct ? A. Yes ; the whole thing was got up as an advertisement. 



Q. An advertisement of Gloucester and its trade ? A. Yes ; for the 

 Centennial, to advertise our business to the world. 



Q. When you stated that the value of property at Gloucester had de- 

 creased 33 per cent, during recent years, did you wish it to be inferred that 

 that was a special feature in Gloucester alone, or is it not owing to the 

 commercial depression which has extended all over the country ? A. It 

 is not limited to Gloucester. Shoe-manufacturing towns have felt it. 



Q. Nor is it confined to the fishing business alone ? A. Not at all. 



Q. Is there any other trade which Gloucester has as a specialty besides 

 the fishing business? A. It is the largest business we do. 



Q. Would I not be correct in saying that nine-tenths of the employed 

 capital at Gloucester is engaged directly or indirectly in the fisheries? 

 A. Seventy-five per cent, of the employed capital is engaged directly 

 or indirectly. Our clothing houses, sail-makers, and other businesses are 

 connected with it indirectly. 



Q. Is the pamphlet correct in stating that the valuation in 1840 was 

 about one million and now nine millions, with a population of 16,754 1 

 A. I presume the valuation of nine millions is about right. 



Q. Is not the statement that in 1840 the valuation was one million, 

 correct ? A. I presume so ; I know nothing to the contrary. 



Q. If 75 per cent, of the employed capital of Gloucester is engaged in 

 the fishing business, does not that prove that it must be owing to the 

 fishing business, almost altogether, that Gloucester has made these 

 strides ? A. The increase in Gloucester is not all increase in business ; 

 it has increased in population. People have moved in and brought money 

 in and are using it there. The increase in the valuation has not been in 

 the fishing business altogether; it has mainly, I admit ; but men have 

 moved in who are assessed for larger amounts and pay large taxes and 

 who prefer to come there on account of the high taxes of Boston, and 

 spend part of the season there. They have increased the valuation. 



Q. You say that it has mainly increased from that cause, but that there 

 are other causes which contribute to it ? A. Yes ; I have been confining 

 myself to the last ten years. 



Q. Is not the great underlying cause of the increase in the returns 

 from the fisheries ? A. No. 



Q. Tell me what is the great underlying cause ? A. There has been 

 a great increase in the valuation of Gloucester by reason of its becom- 

 ing noted as a summer resort. That has been the cause of the greatest 

 increase. There has been no increase in the fishery business of any note. 

 They have increased the value of property there by putting a higher 

 valuation on it ; i he same property as we had before. 



Q. You assented to the statement that the fishing business was the 

 main cause, but not that it is the great underlying cause ? A. I mean 

 within ten years. 



Q. You confine your last statement to ten years. During the last ten 

 years Gloucester has become noted as a watering-place ? A. It has in- 

 creased in population within ten years. I am speaking more particularly 

 of -.the increase in the valuation on the assessors' books. That increase 

 has not been due to an increase in the fishing business. The valuation 

 in 1856 or 1858 was about four millions. I did more mackerel business 

 in 1848 than I have done this year. I had twelve vessels in the bay 

 that year. 



Q. Will you say that the most of those engaged in fishing did'more 

 business in 1848 than now 1 A. They did not. 



