348 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP" FISH AND FISHERIES. 



noted, however, and on several occasions the attention of the Secretary 

 of the Treasury has been called to the matter, and he has been furnished 

 with a list of those who have failed to comply with instructions — a 

 course which has generally proved very efficacious in securing the 

 necessary action. As a result, this method is much improved at present; 

 it may, perhaps, fairly be claimed that it is on a practical working 

 basis, though much yet remains to be done to re#ch the maximum of 

 desired accomplishment in this direction. 



In some cases objection has been made to answering certain neces- 

 sary questions contained in the circular. For that reason steps were 

 taken to secure the enactment of a law making it illegal to refuse such 

 information as may be asked for by the Government. A bill of this 

 character passed the Senate, but failed in the House of Representatives 

 only because there was no opportunity for its consideration before the 

 close of the session. No steps have since been taken to secure its pass- 

 age, though it is obvious that a measure of this kind would aid mate- 

 rially in the work, and would make its expansion practicable without 

 additional cost to the Government. If this system of collecting fish- 

 ery statistics is to be continued (a matter concerning which there might 

 be a difference of opinion as to its wisdom or expediency) it ought un- 

 questionably to be legalized by Congress, since otherwise the Secretary 

 of the Treasury may at any time decide to discontinue a work that is not 

 authorized by law. 



The extent of this work is much beyond what might be expected by 

 those unfamiliar with it. To fully understand and appreciate this, it 

 is seemingly only necessary to state that in the calendar year of 1886 

 there were received in the office 3,445 circulars ; in 1887 the number 

 had increased to 5,636, and the present outlook indicates the receipt of 

 a still larger quantity this year. 



The information thus obtained is carefully considered, compared with 

 other data to verify its accuracy, and then tabulated. In cases where 

 there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the returns on the face of the 

 circular, communication is had with the collector of the port whence 

 the information came in order to verify or correct the statements. 



In a number of instances the information on these circulars has been 

 tabulated for the use of Congress and the Executive Departments. 

 These statistical statements have generally had special reference to the 

 fishery relations between the United States and Canada, and have 

 usually been compiled with the object of showing certain phases of the 

 fisheries of New England and the Middle Atlantic States. 



The tables prepared to date may appropriately be classed with un- 

 completed reports. It is proposed to expand them so as to bring the 

 subjects they deal with up to date, so far as that is practicable. Some 

 new features will be added, including explanatory notes, and it is hoped 

 they will soon be ready for publication. It may also be added that 

 many of the same data will be used, in conjunction with other informa- 



