WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1935

In 1943 the Tidewater Fisheries Commission was granted
discretionary power to make rules and regulations governing
the methods of taking crabs. The approval of this Bill would
result in the removal of this discretionary power from the
Commission and would specifically limit the taking of crabs
to the gears set forth in the Bill.

It is the opinion of the Commission that the provisions of
the Bill, in the long run, would be detrimental to the industry
and would seriously restrict the opportunities for crab con-
servation negotiations which might ultimately be carried on
with the State of Virginia.

For these reasons, the Bill has been vetoed.

HOUSE BILL No. 307.

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 103
of Article 39 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939
Edition), title "Fish and Fisheries", sub-title "Crabs", and
to repeal Section 104 of said Article and sub-title, relating
to the open season for taking crabs.

This Bill establishes a new season for the taking of crabs
extending from April 1 to December 1. The present season is
from May 1 to December 1, with discretionary power in the
Tidewater Fisheries Commission to remove the month of No-
vember.

The Commission advises that there is little justification for
an increase in the season at the present time. Through the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission an attempt has
been made to work out regulations jointly between Maryland
and Virginia. It is felt that approval of this Bill would, in
part, defeat the efforts of that group to bring about closer
coordination between the two States in the management of
our crab fishery.

The Bill has, therefore, been vetoed.

DENTON

SENATE BILL No. 483

AN ACT to repeal Sections 125 to 162, inclusive, of Article 6
of the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland (1930 Edi-
tion), title "Caroline County", sub-title "Denton", and to
enact 21 new sections in lieu thereof, amending the laws
relating to the Town of Denton.

This Bill, which is designed to amend the Charter of the
Town of Denton, authorizes the Town Commissioners to cause
assessments to be made of all property subject to assessment