Chap. 223.—An ACT to provide for a commission to confer with a similar com
mission to be appointed by the State of Maryland and, subject to the ap
proval of the general assembly of Virginia, to endeavor to reach a satis
factory settlement of the dispute now existing between the Commonwealt
of Virginia and the State of Maryland, with reference to the right of th
citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia to fish in the Potomac river: t
prescribe the powers and duties of such commission, and to provide a sur
sufficient to pay the actual expenses of the members of the commission an
such other incidental expenses as may be incurred in the performance o
the duties required by this act. ([H B 153

Approved March 16, 1928

Whereas the seventh article of the compact between the Com
monwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland provides:

“The citizens of each State, respectively, shall have full prop
erty in the shores of Potowmack river adjoining their lands, wit
all emoluments and advantages thereunto belonging, and the priv:
lege of making and carrying out wharves and other improve
ments, so as not to obstruct or injure the navigation of the river
but the right of fishing in the river shall be common to, an
equally enjoyed by, the citizens of both States, provided, tha
such common right be not exercised by the citizens of the on
State to the hindrance or disturbance of the fisheries on the shore
of the other State; and that the citizens of neither State sha
have a right to fish with nets or seines on the shores of the other”
and .

Whereas in contravention to the terms of said compact be
tween the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Marylane
the State of Maryland has attempted to impose a nonresider
license tax upon the citizens of Virginia fishing in the Potoma
river in the unnavigable portions thereof; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
commission is hereby created to confer with a similar commi:
sion to be appointed by the State of Maryland for the purpos
of settling the dispute which has arisen between the Commo
wealth of Virginia and the State of Marvland.
2. The commission aforesaid shall consist of six members, two
appointed by the speaker of the house from the members thereof,
one appointed by the president of the senate from the members
of the senate, and three appointed by the governor from the resi-
dents of this State. The attorney general of Virginia and the chair-
man of the commission of game and inland fisheries shall be ex-
officio members of the commission. The commission shall elect one
of its members chairman and another secretary. If any vacancy
shall occur on the commission, it shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment was made.

3. The commission shall confer with a similar commission to be
appointed by the State of Maryland and, subject to the approval of
the general assembly of Virginia, endeavor to reach a satisfactory
settlement of the dispute now existing between the Commonwealth
of Virginia and the State of Maryland with reference to the right
of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia to fish in the
Potomac river above Little Falls, and to do all things necessary or
needful to bring about this result. The commission shall report its
action in the premises to the next session of the general assembly
of Virginia.

4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensa-
tion, but shall be paid their annual expenses incurred in the per-
formance of their duties under this act, to be paid in the manner
hereinafter provided.

5. For the purpose of paying the actual expenses of the members
of the commission and such other incidental expenses as may be
incurred in the performance of the duties herein required, a sum
not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, is hereby appropriated
out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the
saine to be paid by the treasurer on the warrant of the comptroller
upon the proper voucher, or vouchers, required by the comptroller,
approved by the chairman of the commission.

6. The State of Marvland is requested to provide for the ap-
pointment of a similar commission to confer with the commission
created by this act.

7. A certified copy of this bill shall be transmitted by the clerk
of the house of delegates and keeper of the rolls of Virginia to the
governor of Maryland and to the secretary of State of Maryland,
the speaker of the house of delegates and president of the senate
of Maryland.