REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
37 
annum as the minimum clerical pay. This will afford an opportunity 
to advance competent and deserving Employees to grades in which 
they will receive salaries commensurate with the duties required 
and performed. It is further provided that the salaries of assistants 
in charge of divisions, chief clerk, superintendent of car and mes- 
senger service, two scientific assistants, and firemen and messengers 
be raised. These increases are in line with those proposed in the 
report of the Committee on Grades and Salaries transmitted to 
Congress by the President on February 11, 1908, and aggregate 
$9,820 ; and it is earnestly hoped that they will be granted, as thereby 
the efficiency of the service will be greatly enhanced. It is recom- 
mended also that the salaries of all seamen be advanced from $540 to 
$600 per annum; the pay of these employees is regarded as most 
inadequate, particularly as they are obliged to meet mess bills out of 
their salaries, thus leaving such a small balance that good, reliable 
men are not attracted to the service. The foregoing increases are 
more than offset by reductions in the estimates for construction work 
and miscellaneous expenses, so that the aggregate appropriations 
asked for 1911 are $32,640 less than were received for 1910. 
In connection with this request for increases in salaries, the Com- 
missioner desires to express his appreciation of the efficient and 
faithful service performed by officials and employees. The progress 
that has been made and the high standard that has been maintained 
in all branches of the work are directly due to the intelligent and 
zealous efforts of the Bureau’s staff at headquarters and in the field. 
EXTENSION OF FISH -CULTURAL WORK. 
Notwithstanding the present magnitude of the fish-cultural opera- 
tions of the Bureau, there is necessity for a substantial increase, in 
order that certain important sections may participate more thor- 
oughly in the beneficial work of the federal fishery service and in 
order that the yearly augmented demands for food and game fishes 
may be met. The recomendations under this head in the last report 
are therefore renewed. There should be provided additional hatch- 
eries in the Mississippi Valley and there should be a marked exten- 
sion of the work of saving fishes from the overflowed lands in the 
same region. Recent experience has shown that in the southeastern 
part of Missouri the conditions are favorable for the establishment 
of a combination station for cultivation of pond fishes and for the 
rescue of fishes from the bayous and ponds that become dry each 
year. The previous recommendation for a fish-cultural experiment 
station is likewise resubmitted. 
