REPORT UPON THE DIVISION OF FISHERIES. 341 



tained and to make such explanations as will lead to a clear understand- 

 ing by the public of otherwise complex and intricate problems. 



It is probable that, when the field force has been well organized, we 

 shall be able to discontinue the collection of statistics through the 

 Treasury Department, and thereby relieve it of an onerous duty it has 

 so generously undertaken and so zealously prosecuted. Unless Con- 

 gress should authorize the continuance of this work, it seems that the 

 Commission can scarcely continue to request it of the Treasury Depart- 

 ment when the organization of the force of this division renders it prac- 

 ticable to secure the desired information through inquiries made by field 

 agents. I am, nevertheless, uot unmindful of ihe fact that many data 

 are secured on Treasury circulars that it may be difficult to obtain by 

 other means, chiefly through the inability of field experts to personally 

 interview those who can supply the knowledge sought for. 



For many reasons, it seems eminently desirable that local agencies 

 should be established in the most important fishery sections, and it is 

 hoped that Congress may recognize the importance of this, as bearing 

 upon the welfare and development of the fishing interests of this coun- 

 try. 



D. — Consideration of the status of the work, personnel, 



ETC., WHEN THE DIVISION WAS ORGANIZED. 



1. The icorlcj sources of information, etc. — As has been intimated, the 

 work of the newly organized division naturally includes that which 

 came under the jurisdiction of the Division of Statistical Inquiry, as 

 established by the Provisional Regulations of Professor Goode. It, there- 

 fore, seems necessary to briefly review the work that had previously 

 been done, and to define its status at the time I assumed control of it, 

 in order that the conditions under which the Division of Fisheries began 

 operations may be clearly understood. 



Although, under the direction of Professor Baird, the collection of 

 fishery statistics and the study of certain phases of the fisheries had 

 been carried on by the Commission from early in 1885, no specific 

 appropriation was made by Congress for this work ; the Commissioner, 

 acting under authority conferred by Congress, assigned at his discre- 

 tion such funds as he could devote to it, the amount depending largely 

 upon the character and extent of the inquiries undertaken. The first 

 specific appropriation made by Congress for the collection of fishery 

 statistics by the Commission was passed during the first session of the 

 Fiftieth Congress, and is available for the next fiscal year. 



Early in 1885 an arrangement was made by Professor Baird with the 

 Treasury Department for the collection (through the Customs Division) 

 of statistics of certain vessel fisheries, and this work was organized by 

 the preparation and distribution to customs officials of the necessary 



