The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-17
LOOK To THE HATcHERIEs

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While 1t is far from the Astorian's de
sire to rebuke or attempt to advise thos'
p-ublie-spirited gentlemen in our midst
who are working SO hard for the estab'
lishment OF new industries in this city
1t may be advisable at this time to re-
mind them. and the citizens generally.
that they are overlooking n very I'M
portant matter. 1t is the preservation
and extension OF Sn industry that has
beer peculiarly the property Of Astoria
for many years. n that has kept The
population alive during the hardest times
in our history. and one that is today OF
more assistance to US as a money getter
and a worldwide advertisement than any
dozen of new projects We could possibly
enter into. 1t is the canning and distri-
button Of Columbia river salmon
Here at our very door is a perennial
crop Of the worlds choicest food fish, one
Of the few never-failing hsrvests that
nature has ~vouehsafed 10 man, only de-
handing for a continuance OF her bounty
a reasonable amount of common thrift
and prudence. For dfteen years the sal
mon business has been our sole support.
II has made fortunes for many among
us. and is today building up a competency
for many more. In the face Of examples
in states both north and south Of us, ex-
amples that have shown how easy it is
to lose the benefit OF this industry. what
have we done towards its preservation or
enlargement? Practically nothing. And
why? Because none but the far-sighted
have up to this time seen the necessity
for conserving ueh a plenteous crop,
confident, despite all warnings from else
where, that 1t could well take care of
itself.
las you sow so shall you reap" was
never more applicable in a practical
sense to anything than to this subject.
The annual run Of fish into the Columbia
directly supports ten thousand people.
Five times the extent Of the present
catch will support fifty thousand. \ jl-
dicious and well-planned campaign OF
education in this matter will convince
gon how necessary it is that government
aid should be given for the inception and
maintenance Of hatcheries on the upper
streams Of the Columbia. We are hatch
ing now ten million salmon every year.
We ought TO turn out into the sea one
hundred million at least, and 1t will be
n OF the easiest things in the world to
bring about that result, for there is no
productive process known that is so
simple.
Suitable hatcheries. well guarded and
systematically operated, will quadruple
the runs Of salmon into this river, and
Of necessity q%uadruple the amount OF
business in this city and vicinity. With
the coming Of railroads c great industry
in fresh fish transportation will spring
up in our midst; our can making business
will be extended; our army Of fishermen
will be largely increased; our box fac
tories will branch out, and In every chan.
mel Of trade viii be felt the pulsations OF
increased and permanent improvement
provided that our citizens will only exer-
else a little common sense and look well
after the source Of supply.
FIGURING mills, boot and shoe factories,
tanneries. and all the other projected in
terests are all well enough. Let them
come. But let us take advantage Of our
natural surroundings first and then turn
our attention TO enterprises that are
really Of very small Importance compared
with our great Columbia river salmon
trade and its army Of workmen. Look
TO the hatcheries.