The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-05-23
AT LAST, A HATCHERY.
Telephone No. Sc.

1t is a sign full Of cheering inferences
FOR the future when the cannerymen Of
the Columbia River can get together and
in manner both harmonious and busi-
nessAilse, combine on q proposition
fraught with 80 much Importance to
themselves and the state as the careful
propagation Of salmon. Such a meeting
was held yesterday, and the Astorian
welcomes 1t as the first step toward many
such conferences and an ultimate combl-
nation Of every interest connected with
the industry.
When we come 10 consider what the oft
threatened decadence OF the salmon trade
II 1t came to pass, would mean 10 the
Whole OF Oregon, and particularly to
this city, 1t is indeed q good thing to
have the cannerymen prove by their
acts that they are determined to obviate
such commercial calamity, and to en-
sure the continuance Of this grand in
dustry by prompt and concerted action.
Several Of them have up to the present
hme subscribed In cash towards the es-
tabiishment OF hatchery the sum of
nine thousand dollars and 1t is believed
that fifteen thousand dollars, the full
amount required, will be raised very
quickly While many short-sighted peo-
pie whose main principle in life consists
OF the grab and hold" theory, may be
unwilling to add their contributions to
make up the sum needed, It is to be
hoped that the majority OF the substan-
tial citizens Of Astoria and Portland win
help In the work and to a small extenA
relieve the Gamers from bearing the
whole expense Of proceeding that Is as
Vital to the prosperity OF themselves and
rhedr children as II is to the welfare
Of the packers.
A glance at the names Of the stock
holders, which appears In another por-
tion Of this mornings paper, will be
sufficient to show that the project will
be carried through In the manner best
calculated to effect the object aimed at
ana at yesterdays meeting It was the
unanimous opinion that immediate action |
was necessary 1t was decided that the |
hatchery should be stationed on the |
upper waters Of the Clacloamas River, |
q decision which to those acquainted with
che theory of fish propagation will be
considered most excellent one As we
have said before, the upper Clackamas
is an Ideal stream for the purpose with
everything In Its favor, and a combina-
tion OF advantages possessed nowhere
else In the Northwest. Another wise con-
causion arrived at was that the enter
prise should be conducted and operated
solely by the cannerymen themselves,
and that II was far better to control the
work In this manner than to appeal to
state or government for aid, and be
compelled at the same tome to accept an
Infinite amount OF red tape and routine
not strictly In accordance
with business principles. "The Columbia
River Packers Salmon Propagating
Company" as the new corporation is
called, will run the hatchery with the
sole view of speedily increasing the an
nual run OF salmon Into the river, and
no expense or care is TO be splred to
make the institution a model OF its |
kind. The corporation has taken steps to
place It's officers In possession of all the
facts that could possibly be obtained
mum tde lNrBeSt ntbtcnerleS IN tne cOun-
try, concerning the various steps taken
by them TO propagate FISH ova, and this
information, added to the practical and
valuable knowledge OF many OF the stock
holders and their employees. win ensure
the most approved methods and the best
results.
There is, then. every reason to believe
that In the course OF the next few
months this splendid innovation will be
In full working order. Such a sponta-
neous movement on the part OF the can
nerymen, not only proves concluslvely
that they are far from being the short
sighted and rapaclous class that many
thoughtless individuals have considered
them, but II means the salvation OF an
industry that. more than any other, has
given to Oregon both wealth and favor
able nOtorlety. II means that succeeding
win here at home be en-
sured the continuance OF lucrltive call
ing, and abroad the annual delight OF
enjoying the finest food fish that man
has ever known.
Well done, cannerymen.