The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-06-18


We understand from Fish Commission
er Mcclure, who is now In this city that
the hatchery ON the Upper Clackamas
River is being put into condition as fast
as possible and that during this week the
Racks will be placed in the stream. This
should enable the eggs Of the present
years salmon to be matched at the sta
tion by the middle of next month, and 1t
is not too much TO say that ten millions
Of young fish will be sent on their way
to the sea this year. IL matters are ar
hanged so as to obtain a clear stream,
without an obstruction Of any character,
from dts mouth to the place where the
hatchery 10 SITUATED.
1t is believed by a large number Of
cannerymem thai the even size and quail
ity Of the present years run of Chinook
salmon is attributable to the Matching In
1891 of nearly six million eggs from the
old Claclnamas hatchery, and that their
theory of the return Of fish four years
after they are Matched, into this river,
Is proven to be correct. 1t is very probn.
BILE indeed that they are right and, II
such is the case, what vast possibilities
are opened up for the future Of the salm-
ON industry OF the Columbia 1t has been
estimated that, last year. only million
and a half OF Chinook salmon were
caught. Take the ClaclOanias hatchery,
with Its capacity for handling and turn
ing out ten million Chinooks per annum,
year In and year out and III seems to
us as IL every other phase Of The bus
iness paies into insignifcance beside this
Innovation. which II properly and care-
fully handled, will yield a rich and well
come harvest for future generations, and
provide a perpetual source OF revenue
and fame for the whole state of Oregon.
That one man, by the exercise Of little
influence and wire pulling, should be able
TO stand in the road of such benefits,
and TO deliberately imperll the success Of
project 80 vast and SO full of import
ence to everybody, seems on the face Of
It to be Ridiculous But 10 Is a fact, nev.
ertheless. Mr. II. u. Cross, member OF
past legislatures, and a well-known clti-
zen OF this state, Is the Individual we re,
fer TO. Across the Claclpamas river, on
this side OF 1t, he has constructed and
operated for some years dam" This
contuavance while nominhlly four feet
high, Is by reason Of its peculiar con-
struction, ready more Of an tmpedlment
than many six feet dams, and contrary
to the STATUTES of the state, in fat viola,
tion ana defiance OF all laws, 1t is UNI
broken by any fishway. Not only that
but the law provides that dt is unlawful
for fishermen to cast their nets within |
$50 feet below. or 200 feet above any fish
way. The fact that the dam belonging
to Mr.. Gross is free from anything of the
kind. gives fishermen the opportunity OF
not only defeating THE spirit OF the law
but Of actually sltrtnging their nets across
the top OF the dam, which they do con,
tlnually during the fishing season. Here
e an absolute blockade. to all dntents and |
purposes stone wall, preventing the
journey of the salmon up the Clackamas
River, and endangerdng every prospect |
that the new hatchery holds forth.
The few thousands Of dollars subscribed
by the cannerymen of the Columbia fol
the erection OF this hatchery Is a mere
bagaItelle compared with the benefits that |
win accrue in the next few years and 1,
Is worth while THAT, II needful, thousands |
more should be spent In order that their |
ultimnte object shall not be defeated. |
Mr.. Cross by promise after promise has
stawei OF the inevitable long enough,
and 1t Us now time that he be compelled
to make HIS word good or else that his
fisth dam be entirely demolished without
less OF time. He has been treated alto
gether too lenienty in this matter by the
authorities and we look to Fish Commits,
aioner Mcclure, who from the first has
been an ardent advocate OF the new
hatchery, to compel him to build fish,
way immediately or else to do his duty
ana arrest him without giving him the
The amperiia.ng Of what may prove to
he she fusure life of the Columbia River
salmon Industry, by man seemingly
wsthoait sense or the ability Ito exercise
ii. cannot be allowed for moment.
There are Judges In Oregon fearless
enough to lnterpreu slie law irrespective
Of whom ii hurts. ana 30 these Judges the
mahier ought 70 be presented without de-