The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-10-22
A PROPOSED SALMON TRUST
Columbia River Packers May
Form a Combine.
M'GovERN BACK OF THE MOVE
Gamers Unanimously of the Opinion
That Some Steps Must Be Taken to
Maintain Reasonable Prices.

Gamers Unanimously of the Opinion
That Some Steps Must Be Taken to
Maintain Reasonable Prices.
Astoria, Or, Oct. 19.-For some
weeks past movement has been on
foot having for its object the formation
of a combination among the salmon
Gamers on the Columbia river, and dur
ing the past few days it has taken such
definite form that there seems to be no
doubt Of its ultimate consummation.
The proposed method of procedure,
which is comprehensive in it's nature,
has been advanced by J. F. McGovern, +,
of the firm of Delaield, McGovern &
Co., OF New York, who has spent the
past four weeks in this city endeavor-
ing to bring the cannerymen to view
the proposition in favorable light.
He is now certain of success, having up
to date secured promises from six of
the Gamers, who have agreed to attend
a meeting to be held in New York city
some time in November.
1t is proposed to start the organiza-
tion with as many frst-class canneries
as can be induced to join, without of ne
cessity having all; but the nature of the
organization will be such as to enable
those who desire so to come in after
the organization has been perfected
and is in working order.
The capital stock will probably be
twice the cost of the plants, which
shall be transferred to the company, to
gether with the labels, at valuation to
be placed on the same by appraisers,
this appraisement to be made by a
board to consist of five, two of whom
shall be disinterested parties and three
Gamers, and the board to alternate in
acting on each others property, so as
to give each fair appraisement. The
value to be placed upon the properties
by such board of appraisement will
be based on the actual value of the real
estate and property itself for the pur-
poses for which it is intended, except
where it may be of greater value for
other purposes. In the latter tontin. j.
gency, the higher value will take prec-
edence. Owners of property SO ap.
praised will be paid for the same in
stock at value of SO, while in addi.
ton to the sums paid for property a
fixed value will be paid i'll stock to
each OF the Gamers for goodwill,
labels, trade makrs, etc.
The money necessary to run the pro-
posed com bination until canned pro.
duct has been placed on the market
will be forthcoming, and will be ad-
yanced by Deiafield, McGovern & &c. -:
In advocacy of the plan so outlined,
it is pointed out that as the entire stock
of the company will be left on the CO.
lumbia river, the entire profits would
also be left there.
With reference to the treasury, stock
remaining after payment is made for
plants, properties, ETC., would be used
for such canneries as would want to
join after organization has been per-
fected, or sold from time to time, as
might be considered best.
Mr.. McGovern considers that no seri-
GUS objections can be made to the plan,
and any minor differences of opinion
can readily be arranged.
''The main point is to get the organ
ization started.' he said Thousands
of dollars have been spent in the past
in efforts to bring the cannerymen to-
gether with view to perfecting some
sort of combination, but to no purpose.
Invariably an apparent conflict of in
terests, or conflict of opinion, has de-
feated the aims of the intending organ
izers.''
Samuel Elmore, who is at present in
New York city, is an enthusiastic sup
porter of the plan, and will probably
remain in the East until the arrival of
the other Gamers.
All of the packers here are fully
alive to the importance of taking some
steps to maintain or advance the pres
ent prices for Columbia river salmon.
They are almost unanimous in the
opinion that the only means by which
this object can be attained IS by organ
ization. Even should any of the can
neries remain outside, an organization
embracing six or eight of the total num-
ber could doubtless come to satisfac-
tory arrangement with those outside
to agree upon selling price for their
canned product. The Gamers com bin
ing would place all goods for sale in
the hands of one party, thereby
strengthening their position and enabl-
ing them to realize better results than
under the present cutting system.
It is more than probable that in view
of the active interest ken in the mat
ter by Delafield, McGovern & Co., that
firm will handle the goods packed by
the combination. Whether the scheme
results In bringing all the Gamers to-
gther at first or not, it is considered
safe to assume that such an organiza-
tion as the one proposed, even should
no more than six of the principal estab-
lishments combine, would eventually
result in a combination embracing
every cannery on the river. especially
since all interested in the business of
salmon packing fully realize the incal-
culable benefit that the Alaska Pack
ers' Association has proven to the
trade in Alaska salmon.
Hanged Himself in His Tent.
Seattle, WASH, Oct. 19.-Swan Eriek-
son, laborer, committed suicide this
morning at Maple valley. He was
found hanging to the ridge pole of his
tant. His clothes were wet, showing
that he had first tried to drown him
self. Erickson had $145 on his body
when found. Temporary insanity is
assigned as the cause for taking his life.
The first solid head pin was made in
England in 1924 by an American, Lem
uel W. Wright.
Baby Run Over by Trolley Car.
San Francisco, Oct. 19.-As Howard