20 



We desire to acknowledge the ready assistance we have received 

 from the Executive, Grovernor Yates, who has stood by us at all 

 times, and has shown a lively interest in our work, and given it a 

 great deal of personal attention. 



To Prof. S. A. Forbes we are indebted for the very valuable paper 

 in the appendix to this report, flawing been in course of prepara- 

 tion for a number of years, at great expense, it could hardly have 

 been expected that we should have been permitted to publish it first, 

 but he has generously given it to us and we give it to the pub]ic as 

 one of the most valuable contributions of the kind ever published. 

 We are also indebted to Professor Forbes for the use of the colored 

 plates found in this report. 



CHANGE IN COMMISSION, 



Mr. A. F. Gartz previous to close of Governor Tanner's adminis- 

 tration tendered his resignation. 



Governor Yates appointed to succeed him the Hon. August Lenke, 

 of Chicago, 111. Mr. Lenke was connected with the commission for 

 three years during Governor Tanner's administration. 



SUMMARY. 



The increase of public interest in the protection and distribution 

 of fish warrants the belief that satisfactory results of the work must 

 have been noted in the increase of fish throughout the State and in 

 the volume of fish taken for commercial purposes. Of the value of 

 fish as a food supply there can be no question, and the necessity for 

 using such measures as will insure the greatest possible increase of 

 the supply needs no argument. Among the various articles of food 

 the supply of fish has been bo plentiful that it alone has escaped the 

 exaggerated rise in price commanded by other commodities, and in 

 many sections of the State it is the chief dependence for the poor. 

 The attention given and money spent in this work by the U. S. Fish 

 Commission should convince any one of its importance and value to 

 the people. 



Quite $600,000 is annually appropriated by Congress for the U. S. 

 Fish Commission for its work, which shows that great results must 

 have been achieved in its work. Every state in the Union receives 

 its share of the benefit of this work, and Illinois has been given aid 

 which enabled us to reap the fullest benefits of the naturally produc- 

 tive waters of the State. The national commission has loaned us 

 the use of its cars and messengers to aid in our distribution, and has 

 given us an equitable share of the products of its work for our 

 waters. 



The enforcement of the laws has been greatly improved, and al- 

 though violations are still frequent no such wholesale slaughter as 

 was prevalent a few years ago exists now. The markets of the State 

 are clear of small fish and the knowledge that their sale will not be 



