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TTENTION is called to paragraph four of the pamphlet containing ‘‘IN- STRUCTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE TELEPHONE”, i. e. ‘‘Subscrip- tion is to be paid for monthy in advance. If the subscription fee is not dulv paid within 2 days after it has become due, the Manager is entitled to sever the con- nection and remove the telephone, while the subscriber is liable to pay the sub- seription till the end of that quarter to which lawful notice could have taken plaee’’. According to above regulations, instructions have been issued to the Foremen to disconnect, on the 9th day of eachr month, the lines of all delinquent subscribers. MUNICIPAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM. H. BERG, ' Magr. St. Croix, March 22, 1920. EDITORIAL. In this issue there will be found a communication from one of the leading fishermen ai this end, Mr.Philip Tuatein, a respectable and hardworking man who has followed his profession for a number of years and whose opinion on matters per- taining to the fish industry is based upon con<iderable experience. Mr. Tutein takes exception to editorial- and contri- buted comment in this paper on the con- dition of the fish market where the pri- ces of raw fish have soared beyond all reasonable proportion and have naturally called forth ecriticism just as has been advanced where occasion called for it in other lines of fondstuffs. As a matter of sac. when this paper referred edito- rially to the high prices of fish it was not contemplated to offend any parti- cular fisherman or class of fishermen, and men of Mr. Tutein’s type were not thought of when commenting upon the ruthless profiteering which goes on and is still going on in the retail fish-market. If all the fishermen and those dealing in that particular line were like Mr. Tutein it would probably have been un- necessary to write our article of the 16th instant and the puablic would not bhe dis- satisfied. Everybody knows and agrees that the cost of materials for all purposes has advanced considerably and where such mat=arials are used in manufacture, or in the running of any business or industry, the products have gone up proportion- ately; w~ say proportionately because that is what it ought to be, but in nine- teen cases out of twentv goods have gone up 50, 60, in some instances, 100 to 200 per cent in excess of theincreased cost of production. his is what people are kicking against, and they have a right ST CRU 1LX AV S to kick and kick hard if necessary to get things ®n a fair and proper basis. It may be quite true as Mr. Tg'tein contents that the price of fish can not be what it was fornserly. But then Mr. Tutein does not go around selling fish himself, nor is he in a position to say what those who do so charge and to what extent they “‘freeze’’ the public. When it was in- stapc2d in this paper that twenty cents was asked for two tiny ‘‘gizard doctor:”” we know what we are mlk- ing about, and the information on this score reached us from good author- ity, like i most cases where we have found it expedient to take up public matters of this naturer Naturally the editors o papers do not have to go in the fish market or for that matter in any market at all to get first hand in- formation about prices and conditions vhich will elicit no complaint from the public unless they work a hardship in their application. Itis a positive fact that the fish sold nowadays is so much more expensive than in therecent pastasto ad- mit of no room for comparison. It is a general matter of comment and on more than one oceasion convincing evidence of the injustice to which the public is subject has been submitted to us, not to speak of numerous requests to treat the matter in publie print. It would appear that the loudest denun- ciation is against the small fishers who angle or set out pots in the harbor, a business which does not come under the hading of the larger seale of fishing to which Mr. Tutein confines his argu- ment. These small dealers, whether directlv or indirectly, barter fish about the town at unheard of crices, a mere fish head oi'ten costing 20 cents. At all esents we can sce no harm in suggesting action to suppress profiteering and im- position wherever found, and 1t seems t- us equitable to propose that the Food Commission regulate the price of raw fish in justice alike to seller and consum- er, as the way to end disputes and elimin- ate unjust criticism of the prices of fish. if the same be above criticism as our correspondent intimates. It will be noted that Mr. Tutein has essayed no comparison between the past and pres- ent prices of fish, although he furnishes the figures on the expense side. If known, these would be interesting and snould prove the most effec ive mannerin refuting the charges, if charges there be, and of substantiating the correct- ne sos his position. We are sorry Mr. Tutein takes offense at our editorial (we can hardly be responsibie for what correspondents have wrictten), and would like to assure him that the aim of this paper is to urge conperation among dealers and buyers of all classes and in :11l ljnes in order to relieve if possible th? tremendous strain under which the foorer people and even the so-called middle ciasses are labering. I'he proposition to sell fish by weight is in our opinion the most equitable and rational arrangement that ought to re- dound to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned, and it is hoped that when the Food Commission devotes attention t» these vexing guestions, it will use our suggestion as a basic ground in ferret- ing out the trc üble. Local. It is learned that the Food Com- mission will hold a me=ating tomorrow morning to adjust the prices of raw fish and sugar. The commissionis understood to be fully alive to the suiferings ot the community owing to negd for aciion in this matter, and speedy relief is lcoked for. The theatre was zs usual the piae where pleasure seekers spent two hours of solid healthy entertainmert last night following that eaptivatiag serial “‘Thae Lure of the Circus’’ whizh is gaining in attractiveness at esch en:ertainment and has now grown quite as popular as any of its forerunners. The two reel comely which wound up the show took tn> sleep out of ail eyes and sent tha aud. ence away in 2 merry maogd. We have been asked 'to say that thne time limit witnin which Hids for furnish- ing quarters for post ofiice purposes in this town will be received, has be>n ex- tended to the 30th pioximo. Parties having p-emises to lease c¢ia gat all particulars from the po tmas-er who is also in a position to ad‘ise prospective bidders of the estimated cost of equip- ment and other matters in c¢onneection with a proper understar ding of the re- quirements. The town clock has been received, we are told, and will be ‘nstalled shortly by an electrician from St. Thomas. Editor ‘‘St. Croix Avis’’, Dear Sir:- Allow me space in your valued payer to explain to the community in gene al the conditions of the fishery in this is- land, as1 can speak with the authority of thirty-four years of experience. It’s not with the intention of rendering any satisfaction to that most impertinent and contemptible of all idiots cailing himself oOld Cook, who most probably is ashamed of his own name or position. lam proud of my name and position as a fisherman, as there is no disgrace attached to my name or calling. 1 want to tel! the pubiie why fish cannot be cold as :ormerly. Because the industry is practically dead for the want of hands to work, as well the advanced prices of the ma- terials for the work. Formerly there were thirteen large boats working at