The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-14
Chinook Salmon
and Its Rivals

IT is interesting and profitable for Co
lumbia river cannerymen to study the
source of supply which last year made
up grand total of 1,322,997 cases of
salmon. According to the statement
before us, which in the absence of Of
Alaska produced 100000 cases. This
year 1t is announced that the pack will
be 100000 cases in the associated can
neries alone. The pack at Chilkat, Met
the Alaska total to about 650,000 cases.
Most of this pack ought to be brought
to Astoria and distributed here, but un-
fortunately, our city has lost, or nearly
lost her grip ON the Alaska trade. The
slight hold that we retain on 1t is due
to the enterprise of Mr.. Morgan, who
has his own steamer manages his own
cannery at Chilcat, and brings the pre-
duct thereof here, either for shipment
or storage. The rest of the trade goes
mainly to San Francisco, where the
Alaska association has its headquarters
and base of supply. This may not be
always so. In coming years the Alas
ka salmon pack may undergo large
increase. More information will be ac-
quired In time regarding Alaska salm-
on and other fisheries This will awak-
en- enterprise and lead to the invest
ment of capital, thereby increasing the
production and improving the methods
by which Alaska salmon is preserved.
When that comes to pass, much of the
Alaska pack may be brought here for
distribution among American markets.
or for shipment to Europe. Australia
and India by some of the many ships
that will then regularly frequent our
port.
Next to Alaska our most active rival
is British Columbia Her pack last
year was 236,997 cases. The firm Of
Rithet & Company, make the pack to
be 22S. .459, but for the sake of Uniform
ity we accept the larger figures, which
comprise the following products: Fra
ser river, 6S,132 cases; Fraser river,
(outside) 1920 cases; Skeena river, 9O.-
coo; Rivers Inlet. 1923; Mas river,
26,25O; Gardeners Inlet, 5000; Lowe In
let, 1892.
An "off'' year and the smallpox,
which scared the Indian fishermen
away account for the comparative
smallness OF the 1892 pack. This year
there will be five new canneries in op-
Grafton, and 1t is expected that tie in
nux of salmon will be large. There Is |
no reason to suppose that any epi-
demic will disturb the Indians, or that |
Alaskan rivalry will discourage the |
British Columbia Gamers, who are in
a position to procure salmon cheaply
and and pack 1t at, perhaps. less cost
than any persons engaged in the busl-
ness in Alaska, or elsewhere. Forum
ately, the British Columbia pack will
not compare in American markets with
that of the Columbia river. The tariff
might suffice to exclude 1t, but part
from that. the British Columbia salmon
inds its readiest market in Great Brit
ain, where It is admitted duty free, and
s sold at prices adapted to the I.opular
needs.
The remainder of the grand total. COG
,ases is credited to the Columbia river,
he Oregon coast and Puget Sound
fisheries No increase is expected
his s.ason in the Columbia river pack,
,ver that OF 1892, that is 465,OOo cases.
rhe run Of salmon on the coast
was exceptionally large last year. and
nay not be repeated for some time.
rLe Puget Sound catch Is generally
Imall-about 23,S00 cases. 1t follows
hat this may be regarded as a cOnserv-
ltive year IN the salmon business--a
year in which the conditions Indicate
/ total pack not much in excess of tie
1892 output. The only marked increase
may be as already noted, in British Co
umbia.