173 State Papers and Addresses

worth. That the improvements noted above are winning favor with sportsmen
generally is evidenced by the fact that receipts of anglers' licenses have in-
creased from $19, 000 in 1935 to more than $29, 000 in 1939.

During 1939 the Commission distributed some 25, 000 pieces of game in
the covers of Maryland for propagation purposes, the great majority of which
were raised in State-owned propagation plants. I understand at least that
amount is available again for this year.

All this, I might say, is directly in line with the principles that have
guided the present State Administration in every matter affecting conservation.
While there has always been, and no doubt always will be, a difference of
opinion as to how best to handle conservation matters, it was our firm belief
that betterment would be effected if we had the two divergent groups of the
State, the sportsmen and the commercial fishermen, each concentrating on its
own problems. To date, this separation seems to have worked out well in the
upland game and inland fish, as it certainly has worked out splendidly in
matters affecting tidewater interests.

Without question, the past season was one of the best the oystermen of
Maryland have ever enjoyed, and a great part of the credit must be accorded
to the three-man Conservation Commission, headed by Edwin Warfield, Jr.
Not only did they make a deep study of the problems facing them and bring
to the solution of these problems expert and well considered judgment, but
they backed up their judgment and their decisions by a strict enforcement of
the law, all with the most beneficial results.

The effect of their work was noted to some extent at the end of the
crabbing season last year, but it will be even more apparent this year. Their
insistence upon the observance of the three-inch law eliminated much of the
dreadful waste that had marked Maryland's crab production in recent years.
Thus, it is expected that there will be many more crabs available this year,
and the continued strict enforcement of the three-inch law will assure an in-
creasing supply in years to come. At the same time, through cooperation
with our sister State of Virginia, it has been possible to initiate moves for
uniform legislation with respect to oysters, crabs and shad, particularly, that
cannot but be exceedingly beneficial to both States in years to come. As an
instance of this cooperation, I mention the fact, noted in the papers of several
days ago, that the Virginia Legislature has passed a law forbidding scraping
for crabs from power boats. This conforms to the Maryland law, which was
strictly enforced last year for the first time, and removes a basis of dissension
among our Maryland crabbers, who felt that they were being discriminated
against in favor of the Virginians.

I could go on at much greater length, reciting the many things that have
been accomplished to assure the protection and development of our fish and
game resources. However, the few instances noted are significant of what can
be, and is being done, and I believe indicate clearly that Maryland's water and
game resources are now in capable hands.

It is well to note here, too, that along with this continued improvement in
conditions among our natural resources, the story of our State's great natural
advantages will be presented intelligently to the people of the Country by the
Maryland State Publicity Commission, now functioning actively. The Com-
mission's efforts will not only give favorable publicity to Maryland's seafood,
and thus open up wider markets for it, but also will acquaint thousands of