The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-04

when asked why salmon was sold at such
high figure, that the public was being
humbugged by the fish merchants who
have had corner on tish for many years
and charge whatever price they considered
the purchasers would stand.
when you take into consideration the
enormous amount of salmon that is
shipped annually from the north and
south into this city," added Mr.. LaMotle,
mot TO mention The tons of fish that ar
rive from the Sacramento River almost
daily during the fishing season, the retail
price Of salmon in the markets should GER
tainly not exceed cents per pound.
1.-The merchants have formed CON-
bine, and now charge the purchaser any
price they plea Sc. Unfortunately for the
consumer the merchants are not restricted
10 any figure, and that is why the price of
salmon 10 San Francisco is so excessively
great"
When asked if there was remedy or
any possible means OF compelling the COM
hine to reduce lis charges so that food
fishes could be purchased by the oorer
classes at a lesser figure than they now
pay for meat, MIR. LaMo thought few
seconds and then replied: "Yes, | GER
tainly do believe that there is way of
compelling those fish merchants to sell
fish at reasonable rates, that is, consider
ing the supply, which Is far greater than
Luf general puUllC HAS dtly lQ6d Ols
81 would suggest that an inspector be
appointed for one purpose only. and that
is to oversee the DISPOSAL of salmon, shad
and other ed BILE fishes that arrive in fish,
ing boats at Fisherman's wharf.
II can assure you that it is disgrace
full sight to witness the waste Of fish,
which can be frequently seen at Fisher
mans wharf shortly after midnight when
the merchants have completed their pur-
chasAs.
"Tons of splendid food fishes which
would be welcomed by many poor people.
are pitched into the bay after the morn
ing's sale is over. According TO an agree
ment entered into with the merchants the
fishermen must not sell any OF their catch
to outside bidders, otherwise they would
be transgressing command issued by the
merchants and which. of course, would
imply a freeze-out to any fisherman dis
Obeying orders.
1.-The dumping of such splendid food
fishes into the bay on the order OF the
merchants is an offense against the law
and should certainly be stopped. aud
would suggest, furthermore, that any FISH
that are not required by the merchants
association be auctioned off on The wharf
tn the highest bidders, which. to my way
OF thinking, would be very material i'm
provement on the present system.
There ara many peddlers in this city
who wnald certainly avail themselves of
valuable opportunity, and especially on
Thursday mornings, of purchasing fish at
low figure. The result OF such scheme
would be the sale of salmon. shad. rock
hshes, etc.. to poor people at half the
prices they are now compelled to pay the
re- ali merchants, who must necessarily
purchase their fishes from the wholesale
dealers.
THE latter, Of course, would make
most bitter fight against any such scheme
as l have advanced, because, if 10 opera
lion, IL would compel the wholesalers to
reduce their prices 10 suit all classes of
people. 1t is time, however. that the
proper authorities should take the import
ant mater IN hand. as the State spends
thousands of dollars annually in the main
tehance OF salmon hatcherles, which, un-
ger the present ruling, are worked solely
Ia the interest of the Fish Merchants Pro-
tective Association.
another thing which should certal nly
oe stopped Is the dragging by huge nets
OF lne beds upon which our sea fishes
spawn ana raise their young.
ms Is the only State where fishermen
are allowed TO despoii the breeding-grounds
OF sea nshes. Such practices have been
stopped IN the E stern States, but not
until after the Fish Commissioners had
discovered that their harbors and bays
were oeIng depleted of food fishes.
IN England the dragging of spawning
oeos Is an offense punishable by heavy
nne ana Imprisonment. This is compara-
lively young place, but it will not be
many years under the present system of
Hsh slaughter and waste when the Bay of
oaI Francisco will be depleted of its pres
emit supply"