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interested in this movement. And I say to you that 
the fishermen are willing to join in any honest effort to 
educate the public regarding the industries in which 
they are engaged. And who can object if they put up 
their money for this purpose? This work will not be 
done in the dark, nor under a bushel. It will not be 
done for any improper motive; it will be done for the 
purpose of gathering reliable facts, such facts as every- 
body can use to base just conclusions upon. 
Now, sir, I have nothing to say against angling. 
Many of my friends are anglers, as you know. I 
recognize the fact that among the anglers of this country 
are men of the highest merit and the greatest ability. 
I also feel that any man who is interested in increasing 
the supply of food fish, whether he is an angler or a 
fish culturist, is engaged i in a worthy work. But we are 
all human aml we are liable to err in our judgment, 
under certain circumstances. Therefore, in behalf of 
the commercial fishery industries of this country, and 
having in view their magnitude, and the vast importance 
to the American public of their continuance, I say that 
it is well to be cautious about restricting coast and sea 
fishing, and it is better to be sure we are right before 
we go ahead. The fishing interests of this country 
havea special claim to the consideration of the American 
public, and a claim upon every man who in any way is 
interested in fish or fishing. 
It is unnecessary for me to say to this audience that 
fishing was the first industry of the Western World. 
But for the deeds of the fishermen in Washington’s 
army, we might never have gained the liberties we now 
enjoy. This is a matter of history, and should be 
familiar to everyone. 
Millions of capital are invested in these industries, 
and thousands of men, women and children, depend 
upon them for their bread. The prosecution of the 
fisheries is hard enough at the best, as I know by dear 
