237 



States Fish Commission; Mr. F. J. Amsden, representing the Cheap Fish Food 

 Association of Western New York, and Mr. G. M. Skinner, representing the St, 

 Lawrence Anglers' Association. All of these gentlemen having the deepest in- 

 terest in the objects of the conference and qualified by long experience to give 

 useful counsel and aid in the practical work. 



No plan or programme had been fixed upon previous to the meeting for th& 

 conduct of its proceedings, nor could such a plan have been settled in advance. 



After a discussion of the situation, it was deemed wise to delegate to a com- 

 mittee the detail work of the conference, and to change the place of meeting to- 

 some point on the border where the sessions might be attended with the least- 

 inconvenience. So the committee here present was appointed and is now ready 

 to hold its first session. 



It will be seen from the facts stated that the only power given to the New 

 York Commission is to confer with the Canada Commissioners with reference to 

 securing uniform legislation in the two countries. This is the first business of 

 the committee. 



There are members of the Commission who may wish to go farther than 

 this, and to take up subjects, which, though not in the direct line of its jurisdic- 

 tion, have an incidental connection with it. 



There can be no objection to the committee, as a volunteer body, taking up 

 such subjects and making recommendations regarding them. 



The time is auspicious for considering such subjects. It is not probable that 

 a body representing so many separate State Governments and so well qualified to 

 conduct all the interests of Game and Fish preservation can soon be assembled 

 again. And if nothing more shall be accomplished than the awakening of the 

 public attention to these interests, the members of this Committee may feel that: 

 their labours have not been wasttd. 



The CHAIR calls attention to the circular letter which has been sent by Mr; 

 Amsden, the Secretary, with the approval of the President, suggesting topics for 

 consideration ; and with the consent of the Committee he will ask that any mem- 

 bers of the committee, including of course, the gentlemen present by invitation, may 

 present their views in regard to these topics or any others properly connected 

 with them. To-day's session may be spent properly in such discussion. After 

 that, the Committee will be reasonably prepared to settle down to its proper 

 practical work. 



The Secretary will read the subjects suggested in the circular. 



Copy of Circular Letter. 



ROCHESTER, N. Y., Oct. 24th, 189T. 



DEAR SIR, By the enclosed you will see that you are one of a committee to* 

 meet at Rochester, N. Y., in the Chamber of Commerce Rooms, on Tuesday, No- 

 vember 10th, at 10 a.m. to consider and formulate a report on the subject of fish 

 food of the great lakes to be submitted to a meeting of the special Commissioners 

 " of the several States and Canada. Kindly make an effort to attend, and come 

 prepared to give us your careful thought and judgment how to attain the desired. 

 object : the preservation and increasing the food-fish of the great lakes. 



