THE SOUTHERN SPRING MACKEREL FISHERY. 
225 
Then Professor Husloy, speaking in the highest terms of commendation of this address, used 
language which I Avill read, going to show that some measures of this character are deemed hy the 
most eminent authorities advisable; and certainly no measure could ho more moderate than the one 
proxiosed, and even this is limited in its duration to five years. This very conservative measure is the 
response which the House is reipuested to give at this time to the intelligent demands of the older 
hshermen. Mr. Pluxley said : 
Tlie great moral of the Uniteil States’ contribution to this exhibition, especially of the contribution which Mr. 
Browne Goode has Just made to the conferences, was that if this country, or any society which could bo formed of sufficient 
extent to take np the question, was going to deal seriously with the fisheries and not let them take care of themselves, as 
they had been doing for the last thousand years or so, they had a very considerable job before them; and unless they imt 
into that organization of fisheries the energy, the ingenuity, the scientific knowledge, and the practical skill which 
characterized his friend Professor Baird and his assistants, their efforts were not likely to come to very much good. 
Now, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Hewitt] was very kind, and I think also very adroit, in 
intimating the immaturity of those who do not agree with him and a few fishmongers of his city. I 
stated to the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Lore], when interrogated hy him yesterday as to whether 
or not this bill had been submitted to our Fish Commission, that I had not submitted this specific bill, 
but that I had submitted the proposition in the bill ; that I had held corresiioudeuce with the 
distinguished Commissioners and others, and I had had also protracted xiersoual conversation with 
them. And I alluded at that time to the letter which I hold in my hand, and to which I will now 
make more siiecifio allusion. 
When I saw Professor Baird he told me the best authority in the world on this subject was the 
gentleman who wrote me this letter. Not willing to trust to memory as to the results of a verbal 
interview, I addressed to this gentleman. Captain Collins, who is the selected expert of Professor 
Baird and of our Government in charge of this branch of our fisheries, a letter containing inquiries 
which I thought analyzed the subject, and his letter in response to mine was printed and put at the 
disposition of the members of the committee and of the House. 
I will go over some of these x^oints: 
(3) III reply to the question of “what is the efi'ect of unrestricted fishing upon the total weight of catch?” I have to 
say that this can only be conjectured. With the catch totally unrestricted the amount of mackerel taken between March 
and June may vary from one-eighth to about one-fourth of the season's catch. 
That is the measure of a prodigious industry, which the geutlemau from New York and others 
speak of. The very men who prosecute it thought some sort of a system ought to be established by 
the only power that claims or x^osscsses the power to establish such system out on the high seas. 
Laboring men and other consumers of the great bulk of this x>roduct are interested in there being a 
reasonable ett'ort at some sort of regulation. 
CaxJtain Collins proceeds: 
It is, however, known that about 75,000 barrels of fresh mackerel were landed, and it is claimed that more than that 
amount were thrown away for lack of a market or because they were unfit for food. 
He is sxteaking of mackerel which are caught out of season — caught during the season when we 
seek to impose a wholesome restriction, although the business may still be carried on from the Ist of 
July to the 1st of November, at which x>eriod the fish disapxiear, and with the excexition of the limited 
period of restriction, from March to .lune, all the ships of the country may go out uxion the assembled 
schools of fish when every fish is in condition to bo eaten by man. 
Caxitain Collins proceeds. 
Probably 25,000 barrels were salted in the same period. But it is claimed by those best qualified to know, or at least 
who have followed the mackerel fishery for many years, that if the spring fishery is resti'icted there will be a heavier catch 
of mackerel later in the season, when the fish are in much finer condition for food. 
Mr. Speaker, that is what this distinguished authority says as to the annual quantity of the 
catch, that if this restriction be made there will be a heavier catch, and there will not be only this 
increased supply, but the increased supply will be in a fit condition for food. The bill, therefore, is in 
the interest of cheap and more abundant food. The fish will be xiermitted to assemble upon their 
feeding ground. They will be caught at less expense per barrel, and they will be fit to eat after they 
are caught. The selling price of good mackerel will be less. But the catch will be so much heavier 
and the expense of catching so much less, if the fish are permitted to approach our shores unmolested, 
that the cost of x>roduction, if I may so sx^eak, will diminish in a greater ratio than the selling xirice. 
Hence, consumer and producer will both be benefited. This bill, therefore, is in the interest of cheap 
F. C. B., 1898—15 
