AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 2293 



Q. Where has the money come from which has built the large build- 

 ings aud public works and railways ? A. From living economically and 

 saving something every year. 



Q. You have said that Gloucester is drawing in business from itn 

 neighbors? A. The facilities we have at Gloucester for supplying aud 

 repairing vessels, and doing other work connected with them, are beyond 

 those possessed by any other place. We import our salt. We imported 

 90,000 hogsheads last year. 



Q. All other businesses are dependent on the fishing business more or 

 less ? A. If it was not for the fishing business we would not want so 

 much salt. We get a profit and return from that which other places 

 used to get. We used to go to Boston for our salt, and not import it, 

 and to other places for what we now produce ourselves. Now we salt 

 our own fish, aud are middle-men. 



Q. Are not those middlemen growing, not, perhaps rich, but making 

 money? A. No ; I don't think they are making much. 



Q. Are they making something ? A. They would if they got &\\ their 

 bills paid, but they have bad debts ; that is the trouble. 



Q. So that really the incidental business which naturally attaches 

 itself to the fishing business pays ? A. It gives a man a living, that is 

 all. 



Q. And enables him to lay by a little? A. A trifle. 



Q. I suppose the firm of which you are a member is worth to-day a 

 good deal of money? A. I am the only member of the firm. 



Q. I would not be wrong in estimating that you are worth from 

 $75,000 to $100,000 ? A. I have earned more than my living outside of 

 my business, in holding offices and settling estates. If I am worth 

 $50,000 the fishing business cannot be credited with all of it, although I 

 have had a good fleet of vessels and attended to the business. 



Q. You have said your vessels have not paid expenses during the last 

 eight years ? A. I think the results will prove that the vessels have 

 not paid their bills. 



Q. You make up a profit and loss account every year ? A. Yes. 



Q. Showing the profit aud loss on each venture ? A. Yes ; on each 

 vessel. 



Q. Mr. Davies asked witness to prepare a statement from his books, 

 showing the result of each voyage during the existence of the Recipro- 

 city Treaty. 



Q. Your statement covering nineteen years shows that you lost about 

 $128 each year? A. I got a certain amount for the use of the vessels. 



Q. That is only interest on the capital employed t A. We don't 

 ways charge it when we own the vessel. I made something also by pack- 

 ing. 



Q. How did you make money to invest ? A. I had good credit. 



Q. Were not the vessels owned by you absolutely ? A. No. 



Q. None of them ? A. Not many of them. They were in my name, 

 but their debts were not paid and are not all paid now. I was in good 

 credit. 



Q. In regard to the account of the catches of mackerel you g 

 result showed a loss ? A. The result is a loss to the owners of the ves- 

 sels. 



Q. Have you made up a statement showing for those 1 

 the result has been of the voyage of vessels fishing for mackerel on the 

 American coast ? A. I have not. 



Q. Can you do it here ? A. No. 



Q. You would have to go to Gloucester to do it If A. Yes ; I 



