The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-07-07
THE SALMON

The following petition has been issued
and mailed by the Astoria Chamber OF
Commerce to the Washington and Ore
gon delegations in both houses Of con-
gress;
To the Honorable the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United
States, in Washington, d. c.:
The Chamber Of Commerce Of Astoria
Oregon, respectfully represents:
That the Columbia river is 1,4OO miles
in length and six miles wide at Its
mouth.
That the Snake river is a branch Of
the Columbia and is $50 miles in length.
That many smaller branches empty
into these two great rivers.
That these streams are fed principally
from melting SHOWS.
That they run through and along the
boundary line of four states and terri
tories.
That the Columbia river for a distance
Of 100 miles from It's entrance into the
Pacific is a tide water estuary. That 1t
has been the greatest salmon producing
river in the world, and the most ex-
tensive fisheries are operated upon It's
banks. That In no stream or the West
ern Continent do salmon reach ouch 4
rich, oily quality and state of perfection
as I'm the Columbia. river.
That the industry Of preserving salm-
on in tin cans was started IN the river
about 30 years ago, and the business
gradually increased until 1881, when the
pack reached the enormous amount Of
6OO,O 900 cases OF forty-eight pounds each.
Three fish are required to I'LL each
case, making the catch, including fish
otherwise disposed of, two million fish
averaging each 20 pounds weight.
Since 1883, owing to the great annual
catches and destruction of the fish, the
catch has fallen off one-half. The catch
Is now about one million fish, worth, as
taken from the water, n dollar per
fish. When packed, the market value OF
this years catch canned will alone be
one and one-half million dollars. One
half the additional va,ae will consist of
labor and materials produced on the
banks Of the river.
In packing this catch $4,000 boxes Of
tin plate will be used on which there will
be paid to the United States government
5000 custom duties. Also. a consid-
cradle amount Of duties will have been
paid on the Irvine used In catching the
fish.
There are smaller fish of commercial
value known of Blue Backs, Silver Sides,
and Steel Heads. Shad are also becom-
Ing numerous and are being caught.
Proper laws for the protection and In
crease Of these kinds Of food fish are
imperatively needed.
The principal fishing districts are on.
ohe river where 1t is a common bound
airy between Oregon and WASHINGTON.
action of the several states is i'm
practicable. Artificial propagation Of
fish by the general government has
proven practicable, and economical.
This chamber therefore p~rays-tlat
your honorable bodies pass such laws
as In your wisdom shall seem proper for
protection and preservation of the
food fishes Of the Columbia river.
That an appropriation OF thirty thou
dollars be made for the establish
and maintenance Of one or more
hatcheries upon the Columbia river at
such point or points as the Honorable
Fish Commissioner of the United States
may designate, and that suitable pro-
vicion be made for futare maintenance.
And your petitioners will ever pray.