1st Session. 1 No. 528. NAVAL EQUIPMENT TO CERTAIN MILITARY SCHOOLS. MARCH 3, 1900.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. HALE, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 1023.] The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (S. 1023) to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to loan naval equipment to certain military schools, having had the same under consideration, report it back to the Senate and recommend its passage with the following amendment: On page 1, in line 12, after the word "for," insert "conducting upon some body of water suitable for such drills." S. Rep. 4-1 O LIBRARY OF THE LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY, a. 51270 APR 15 1400 1st Session. No. 529. FRESH-WATER MUSSELS IN THE UNITED STATES. MARCH 3, 1900.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. PERKINS, from the Committee on Fisheries, presented the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 3250.] The Committee on Fisheries, to whom was referred the bill (S. 3250) to protect the fresh-water mussels in the rivers of the United States, have examined the same, and report that the bill has the approval of -the United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, of Prof. H. M. Smith, of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, and of Prof. Charles T. Simpson, of the department of mollusks, Smithsonian Institution, whose communications on this subject are made part of this report. In view of the fact that there seems to be urgent need of protection of the fresh-water mussels, your committee recommends that the bill be passed with the amendments reported. UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, Washington, D. C., February 24, 1900. DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, inclosing a bill (S. 3250) for the protection of fresh-water mussels in the United States. Without considering the question of the jurisdiction of the General Government over fisheries in State waters, the commission is of the opinion that action is urgently demanded in order that the mussel supply in parts of the Mississippi Basin may be preserved, and that the protective measures proposed in this bill (namely, a close season, a size limit on mussels gathered, and the total suspension of fishing operations on certain beds for a period of two years) are commendable and will do much to prevent the depletion of the grounds. Your attention is invited to the report sent herewith giving an account of the mussel fishery and pearl-button industry of the Mississippi River, based on an investigation recently conducted by this commission. A number of recommendations in line with the provisions of the bill are given in this report. It is observed that the bill does not state what officers shall carry out its provisions, and how, where, and at what cost, if any, the Government gauge may be obtained, and makes no appropriation for the necessary expenses. Some typographical errors on the first page of the bill are indicated on the copy returned herewith. Very respectfully, Hon. GEORGE C. PERKINS, GEO. M. BOWERS, Commissioner. Chairman Committee on Fisheries, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. |