History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 67

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 67

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At the request of Mr. James Fitt, superintendent of the Shipman Manufacturing Company, in company with Mr. Mason, we visited such an engine as above described in actual operation and found it carrying a three-inch stream of water up an elevation of eighty feet and doing the work admirably.

If, after deliberation, your honorable body should decide to undertake this work the coming spring, permit me to suggest that it would he advisable to erect the building this fall in order that everything might be in readiness in time for operations.

The entire cost of last season's experiment, includ- ing Mr. Mason's time, was $120.78.

On my suggestion to Commissioner Sherman he thought it advisable to write to Chautauqua Lake and ascertain if sufficient funds could not be raised at Chautauqua Lake to defray, at least, a part of the ex- pense of establishing the plant, concerning which the following correspondence took place:

Rochester, N. Y., August 13, 1888. E. Green, Esq., Jamestown, N. Y .:

My Dear Sir: At the last meeting of the fish com- mission held at the Caledonia hatchery, August ninth, the artificial propagation of the muskallonge was dis- cussed and it was decided to take active steps in that direction.

As you undoubtedly understand, by far the larger share of such hatching operations will be for the benefit of Chautauqua Lake, and before going further in the matter it has been deemed advisable to write you and ascertain if there is not sufficient interest among the hotel people at the lake and those who make their homes there a whole or part of the year to provide the necessary plot of land and furnish the means for the construction of the building, the esti- mated cost of which is in the neighborhood of $500.00.

The commission are willing to maintain the hatch- ery after it is constructed and do all in their power to make the work a great success, and I have no doubt but that sufficient enthusiasm can be raised among your people to contribute the above amount toward a project which promises them such abundant returns. I should like to know, if possible, just what we may expect by September first, so as to report at the next meeting of the commission to be held early in Sep- tember. The building should be erected in the fall so as to be ready for operations in the spring.

Kindly let me hear from you early as convenient and oblige.

Yours,

SETH GREEN, Per C. K. G.

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY ORGANIZATION OF U. S. FOOD ADMINISTRATOR 1-0 A. Pickard, Chautauqua County Foud Adminis-12 trator.

Mrs Alice J. Moynihan, Secretary and Deputy.

Mrs. Charles B. Percell, Mayville. N. Y.

16 Burt Wade, Ellington, N.

A E Skinner, Westfield, N'Y.

A. P. Hoitiuk, Panama 3- 5

1 Mrs. James Pringle, Steadman, N. Y.

Mrs Bonj. Haskins, Bemus Paint, N. Y

7-Mrs E. E. Smith, Lakewood, X Y. &-Ira La. Rowley, Silver Creek, N. Y 9- 0. E Olson, Stockton, N. Y.

Scott, Portland, N. Y

21-P H Sylvester, Sinclairville, V Y.

10-Levi Amidon, Frewsburg. N. Y

22 -Fred E Flanders, Dewittville N. Y Earl W. Gage, Ashville, N Y.

11 -(' 1. Edwards, Cherry Creek, N. Y.

Fred A. Lowell. Fredonia, N

1 . - J. D. Gillup ciymer, N. Y

J. W. Barrows, Ripley, N. Y. 11. F Goodell, Irving, N. Y.

15 Joseph @ White, Dunkirk, N. Y.

25- - Leon E. Bligh, Sherman. N

1 % D. U. Herrick, Sheridan . . F. 19 6. G. Skiff, Cassadaga, N.

299

CONSERVATION OF FISH AND GAME

Jamestown, N. Y., August 16, 1888.

Seth Green, Superintendent, etc .:

Dear Sir: Yours of the thirteenth inst. was duly re- ceived, and I have seen some of the parties interested in the artificial propagation of muskallonge in Chau- tauqua Lake and am satisfied that something substan- tial can be raised towards establishing that hatchery here but whether $500,00 can be raised I am not clear. I will ascertain and write you more definitely be- fore September first.

Yours truly. E. GREEN.

Since writing the above, I am in receipt of a letter from Mr. Eleazer Green in which he gives considerable encouragement that $500.00 can be raised by the peo- ple interested in Chautauqua Lake to aid in establish- ing the work.

Respectfully submitted.

CHESTER K. GREEN. Rochester, N. Y., August 31, 1888.

Brook trout, lake herring, lake trout and black bass have also been hatched at this hatchery, though the work at present is confined principally to muskallonge and brook trout.

The report of the Commission for the year 1908 show- ed that a new enemy was making himself felt, none other than the lazy, no-account, German carp ( Cypunus Carpo). The report quotes as follows: "The Sports- man's Association of Chautauqua County claim the carp a great destroyer of spawning beds of black bass. The annual batch of bullheads and black bass has decreased materially each year since carp became abundant."

Regarding muskallonge the report gives the following information : "In Chautauqua Lake the fish spawns soon after the ice leaves the lake, usually in April. The eggs are fertilized by the dry process; they are hatched in jars from which they are transferred by hand to egg trays placed in troughs, through which a constant stream of artesian water flows. The hatching period depends upon the temperature of the water, but usually occupies twenty-one days in water at 48° to 50º F. They are distributed in May and the early part of June. The muskallonge is one of the worst cannibals known and the Commission never attempts to rear it to finger- ling size, but liberates it as soon as it can swim freely."

The lake herring (Argyrosomus Artedi) also re- ceived consideration at this time, for the report con- tinues : "For the first time in recent years an effort was made to secure eggs in Dunkirk. The Desmond Fish Company co-operated with the State in the work of collecting eggs. This company desired to have men placed on all their boats for the purpose of securing spawn. The work continued until Dec. 21st, about 200 quarts, or 15,373.000 eggs, being secured. Foreman Frank Redband of the Caledonia Hatchery assisted." Mr. Redband is now in charge of the Dunkirk Hatchery.

The commercial fishing at Dunkirk continued to grow rapidly, and the need of a hatchery at this point for this industry became apparent. The fact that great quantities of eggs could be secured here, and also that the fry could be "planted" without the loss occasioned by transporting long distances by railroad, impressed the State Legislature and the Conservation Commission, and through the efforts of the Desmond Fish Company and the Dunkirk Board of Commerce a bill was passed

authorizing the purchase of a site and erection of build- ings. The hatchery was ready for operation in 1918 with Mr. Frank Redband in charge as foreman, and eggs were secured that fall, and 106.978,000 fry were liberated early in 1919, and about 220,000,000 in 1920. The equipment of the hatchery at present is 906 jars, each holding 3 quarts. About 780,000 eggs are contained in each quart, which gives a hatching of 224.640,000 each season.

Numerous sportsmen's clubs have been organized at various times and each has done its part in furthering the work of conservation of wild life. The largest or- ganization at present in the county is the Northern Chautauqua Fish and Game Club, organized at Dunkirk in February, 1919, with branches at Silver Creek, Fre- donia, Brocton, Sinclairville, Hamlet and other villages. Through the efforts of this club, assisted by the Con- servation Commission, excellent work has been accom- plished. During the year 1919 about 18,000 brook and brown trout were liberated in the small streams; 450 adult bull heads were liberated in Bear Lake; 750 eggs of the English or Ringneck Pheasants were fur- nished by the Commission, about fifty per cent. of the total being hatched and liberated; 105 young pheasants furnished by the Commission were liberated in the 800 acre game preserve secured by this club. The most commendable work of the club was that of forestry. Extensive educational publicity was given this branch of conservation, and 10,000 young trees were secured from the Conservation Commission and planted by vari- ous individuals. The start in this line was not a large one, but as land owners more fully realize the need of growing timber to protect the streams by conserving the spring and fall moisture, and assuring their children and grandchildren the great benefits resulting therefrom, greater work will be done in reforestry, New York is the greatest consumer of timber of any State in the Union, and unless strict laws are soon enacted regulat- ing the cutting of timber and all "waste" land planted to young trees, a condition similar to that existing in China will confront the entire nation within the next fifty years.

During the year 1920, 252 snow-shoe rabbits (varying hare) were purchased and liberated in the county ; 300,000 yellow perch "planted" in Bear Lake and Cas- sadaga Lake ; about 25,000 brook trout from the hatchery at Bemus Point, placed in the streams; and 400 young pheasants liberated in various parts of the county.

The exhibit of live fish, pheasants and young trees at the County Fair, all of which were furnished by the Conservation Commission, and the educational work of a number of conservation enthusiasts of the club, did much to further the great work of Conservation. Still greater results must be accomplished to assure the welfare of the coming generations. Such places as Arkwright Falls and Panama Rocks should be pur- chased by either the County or State and maintained as public preserves. No greater or better tonic for tired humanity exists than sunshine and fresh air, and if our people hope to continue a strong and vigorous race it is essential that they find time to enjoy the great "out door life," and learn and adore nature.

THE UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. By Clare A. Pickard, Former County Food Administrator.

The United States Food Administration was created by an Act of Congress passed in August, 1917, known as the Lever Act. The necessity for this department of governmental activity arose in consequence of the di-

version of labor from agricultural pursuits throughout the world. Europe was one vast military camp and the energies of the people of that continent were largely given over to war. The food necessary to sustain im-

300

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

mense armies and millions of civilians had to be secured from foreign lands, principally the United States. The declaration of war by the American Congress necessarily rendered the question of the food supply still more difficult of solution. Our manufacturing institutions were converted into munitions factories. Vast military camps were erected. Hundreds of thousands of our young men were drafted into the military service, and of these large numbers were recruited from the farms, already in peace times suffering from insufficient labor. Many who were not drafted were attracted from the farms to mechanical pursuits, in factories, in the camps, and elsewhere, owing to the exorbitant wages offered to labor in the promotion of the vast war pro- gram which had been inaugurated. It was soon evident that the world was facing a crisis in the matter of its food, and that unless measures looking not only to enhanced production but to conservation of the available supply were adopted, the great war would fail. Food is the first essential in military operations, and supplies to armies and the supporting civilian propulation must be maintained if military operations are to succeed. Great apprehension was felt in the summer of 1917 as to whether sufficient food could be produced and transported to Europe to maintain the physical condi- tion, as well as the morale, of the people. The problems incident to the feeding of the Allies were intensified by the transportation of the American army across the Atlantic and the activities of the submarine.

It soon became evident that stringent regulations in- volving the production and consumption of food must be made, and it became a slogan throughout the world that "food will win the war." This subject took pre- cedence and importance over all others, and as a result the Congress of the United States created what was known as the "United States Food Administration," with powers of autocratic character. No war can be waged within the limitations of the Constitution of the United States. The rights, privileges, and liberties of the people must, of necessity, be suspended in large measure and discipline instituted in the place thereof.

The American people had become wasteful and ex- travagant with food, and, in consequence of our great industrial growth and expansion, agriculture had come to be regarded as unprofitable. The arduous work upon the farm, the long hours, the loneliness of life, the distance from scenes of gaiety and entertainment, had led to an exodus of the young men to the cities, where remuneration was large and pleasure easily obtainable. It was necessary, therefore, to stimulate the production on the farms, and to carefully conserve that which was produced.

The name of only one man was considered as the head of the Food Administration. Herbert Hoover, who had been conspicuous in directing the feeding of the Belgian nation following the invasion of that coun- try by the German armies, had given careful study to the varied and complex questions involved in the food supply, and had acquired profound knowledge of the various matters of regulation and administration in this important field. Upon the cnactment of the Lever law. Mr. Hoover was named by President Wilson as "United States Food Administrator." He immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties and proceeded to the creation of an organization throughout the United States.

The Legislature of the State of New York had theretofore passed a food control act; and soon after the United States Food Administration had commenced to function, it was found that in the State of New York the Federal and State administrations were likely

to conflict. An amalgamation, in effect, was therefore consummated, and the two organizations were brought together under what was termed the New York Federal Food Board, and under which food control within the State of New York was largely administered. Its chairman was Mr. John Mitchell, since deceased.

The organization of the United States Food Adminis- tration comprised, in addition to the various bodies having to do with particular subjects, and the executive body in Washington with its thousands of employees, an Administrator for each State, and subordinate to him Administrators in the various counties. Because of the large population of the State of New York and the great and varied problems involved, a Federal Food Administrator was named for the Greater City of New York in the person of Hon. Arthur Williams. Hon. Charles E. Treman, of Ithaca, was designated as Federal Food Administrator for the balance of the State.

Mr. Treman was widely known. He had long been conspcinous as a business man and banker, and had displayed great ability as the head of the Board of Public Works of the State of New York, to which position he was appointed by Governor Dix in 1911 at a time when not only great administrative skill and efficiency was needed, but unimpeachable character as well. Mr. Treman, in the great work which he per- formed as Federal Food Administrator of the State, established a fame which will endure. His position was one of great responsibility, and the perplexities and difficulties with which he was at all times confronted can be fully appreciated only by those who were asso- ciated with him in the work. He displayed executive qualities of a high order; a keen understanding of vast and complex problems ; and a fine sense of justice sel- dom paralleled by any man in public life.

Through the New York Federal Food Board the Food Administration organization of the State was created. A Food Administrator was named in each county, un- der the designation of "Deputy Food Administrator," soon changed, however, to that of "County Food Ad- ministrator." Various boards and divisions at head- quarters were established for handling the several branches of the work involved.

The writer was named County Food Administrator for Chautauqua County. He was not consulted in ad- vance of the appointment, and the first knowledge which he acquired of the purpose to draft him into the work of the Food Administration, was the receipt by him of the following telegram from New York :

New York, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1917. C. A. Pickard, Jamestown, N. Y .:

The Federal Food Board have appointed you to the position of Deputy Food Administrator for Chautau- qua County and as a patriotic duty request you to wire acceptance.

JOHN MITCHELL,

Chairman Federal Food Board for the State of New York.

A call to duty on such grounds could have but one answer, and his acceptance was on the wire within fifteen minutes from the time of the receipt of the notification. He was quite ignorant of the character of the duties which were involved in the appointment, or the powers which the office conferred. A meeting of the newly created State organization was quickly called and held in the city of New York; and at that time the County Food Administrators of the State began their intimate acquaintance with their chief, Hon. Charles E. Treman, who at once won their affection and confidence, which were increased as the intimate per-

OFFICE STAFF OF COUNTY FOOD ADMINISTRATOR

1-0. A. Pickard, Food Administrator of Chautauqua Conhty

Alier J. Moynihan, Secretary and Deputy. -Miss E. I. Brugge, Jamestown. N. Y. Helen Smith,

1 Mrs. Anna Glace, Jamestown, N. Y.

Arthur Rugg, Jamestown, N. Y.

-- Rachael L. Pickard, Jamestown. N. Y.

Eva Fargo, Jamestown, N. Y.

9 -Clarence G. Pickard, Jamestown, N. Y. Y

10-Esther I. C. Winblad, Jamestown, N.

11 lena Seofield, Jamestown, N.

12-Orpha Myers, Jamestown, N. Y.

13 A. G. MacDonald, Jamestown, N. Y.

who

210

301

UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

sonal and official relations progressed. We were given general instructions as to the scope of our duties, and we left the New York conference with the understand- ing that, regardless of the difficulties and unpleasant- nesses which the work promised, our first duty was in its prosecution ; that we were to play an important part in the winning of the great war, and that personal affairs should be completely subordinated to the dis- charge of the duties which we had assumed.

The local County Food Administrator was confronted at the outset by the necessity for the creation of an active, efficient, unselfish, patriotic organization, and he feels a justifiable pride in the splendid body of men and women of Chautauqua county whom he called to his assistance, and who gave their energies and their abili- ties so willingly, unselfishly, and efficiently, to the great cause in which the American nation was enlisted.

The local organization was made up, first, of the office staff of the County Food Administrator ; second, of the county organization known as the County Food Council; third, of the City Food Councils of the city of Jamestown and the city of Dunkirk ; and of various committees of a special character throughout the county.

The County Food Administrator named Mrs. Alice G. Moynihan, of Jamestown, as his personal assistant. Mrs. Moynihan had had a wide experience in the busi- ness world. She is a woman of unusual intelligence, is keen of perception, and is possessed of the peculiar ability essential in the complexities of the work in- volved. Her wide experience made her an invaluable aid in the work of the Food Administration, and too much credit cannot be given her for the important and arduous duties which she performed during those trying times.

A considerable force of stenographers and clerks were necessarily maintained at the office of the Food Ad- ministrator. At times a large volunteer clerical force was added for the purpose of tabulating various rec- ords, etc. Whenever the need came, there was a generous and ready response from Jamestown women, which fully met the requirements of all emergencies.

Attached to the office of the Administrator was an inspection department, for the purpose of detecting violations of the laws and regulations of the United States Food Administration, and in the promotion of the various plans of the department. The position of inspector was filled by C. Arthur Rugg and A. G. Mc- Donald, business men of Jamestown, who volunteered their entire time and energies to the work of the Food Administrator. Their patriotic devotion to the cause will always be a source of gratification to the local Food Administration and to all patriotic people who knew of the difficult and at times distressing work which they performed.

The Food Council of the city of Jamestown was made up of men and women engaged in various lines of business, and their devotion, counsel, aid, and as- sistance were invaluable. This Council was constituted as follows: Crawford N. Bargar, wholesale grocer ; Henry Baner, restaurant; F. W. Bigclow. department store; George F. Clark, baker; Miss Edith Farman, principal Economics, Public Schools : M. Ferrari. grocer ; Benjamin H. Gardner, sugar broker ; Felix V. Hanson, clergyman ; George A. Harris, baker ; Mrs. Ray Hazel- tine, housewife; Theodore E. Hopkins, retail grocer ; George F. Hulbert, hotel proprietor; Mrs. Axel Z. Johnson. housewife ; Charles G. Johnson, railroad audi- tor; Earl C. Lovejoy, fish market; Daniel G. Ogilvie, wholesale fruit dealer ; Alfred E. Randell, clergyman; H. B. Rogers, manager Farm Bureau; Mrs. J. B. Sher- man, baker; William A. Torrance, principal Grammar

School; Frank A. Wilcox, wholesale grocer; Carl O. Wood, meat dealer.

Mrs. Ray Hazeltine, in addition to her membership upon the Food Council, reported each week to the gov- ernment direct, as well as to the Council, prices charged for various staples of food within the city.

The County Food Council were the personal repre- sentatives of the County Food Administrator throughout the county of Chautauqua, and sustained practically the same relation to him that the County Food Administra- tor did to the Federal Food Administrator of the State. They executed in their several localities the various orders which were promulgated from time to time, and administered the law and regulations in their several communities. The County Food Council was consti- tuted as follows :

Levi Amidon, Frewsburg, Manufacturer.

Leon Bligh, Sherman, Retired.

J. W. Burrows, Ripley, Banker.

William J. Cook, Mayville, Real Estate and Insur- ance. Charles L. Dix, Forestville, Merchant.

C. L. Edwards, Cherry Creek, Merchant.

S. Ray Fairbanks, Fredonia, Attorney.

Fred Flanders, Dewittville, Farmer.

Earl Gage, Ashville, Broker.

J. D. Gallup, Clymer, Former County Clerk. H. E. Goodell, Irving, Merchant. Mrs. Benjamin Haskins, Bemus Point, Housewife.

Delmar U. Herrick, Sheridan, Retired Farmer.

A. P. Hoitink, Panama, Merchant.

Fred M. Lowell, Fredonia, Fruit Grower and Mas- ter of County Grange. Bert F. Merriam, Falconer, Manufacturer.

C. E. Olson, Stockton, Banker. Mrs. C. B. Persell, Lakewood, Housewife. Frank M. Potter, Chautauqua, Real Estate. Mrs. James Pringle, Steadman, Housewife. Ira D. Rowley. Silver Creek, Retired.

N. R. Saxton, Kennedy, Miller. J. F. Scott, Portland, Merchant. C. E. Skiff, Cassadaga, Merchant. Alburn E. Skinner, Westfield, Banker. Mrs. Ernest E. Smith, Lakewood, Housewife.

Fred H. Sylvester, Sinclairville, Attorney. Bert C. Wade, Ellington, Farmer.

Joseph C. White, Dunkirk, Attorney.

Glenn W. Woodin, Dunkirk, Attorney.

Some changes were necessarily made during the course of the administration. Mr. Glenn W. Woodin, of Dun- kirk, who had done a splendid and patriotic service in that community, was compelled by reason of sickness and death in his family to resign his place upon the council, and he was succeeded by Mr. Joseph C. White, another Dunkirk attorney, who most ably and worthily filled the place to which he was called. Mrs. Charles B. Persell, representative at Lakewood, was obliged to relinquish her duties because of her removal to the village of Mayville. Mrs. Ernest E. Smith was desig- nated in her place and faithfully and efficiently carried the burdens of that position until the close of the ad- ministration. In the city of Dunkirk a local food council was named by the Dunkirk representative of the Food Administration.

In inaugurating the work of the Food Administration in Chautauqua county, it was deemed necessary to provide publicity, or propaganda, for educating the people to and familiarizing them with the purposes of the Food Administration, and the necessity as a war measure for the observance of its rules and regula- tions. It is generally recognized that rigid discipline in the armies is essential, but discipline of the civilian population had never before been seriously attempted. When the United States had been engaged in other wars the participation of the civilian population had been wholly voluntary. The government now proposed to dictate to its citizens, men, women, and children, as to affairs in the home which had always theretofore been

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 67

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc. Number of Pages: 649

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649