The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-10-28
The Fish Trap Men win Fight.

be an attempt made at new fish legis-
lation when the next legislature meets.
The belief is we'll founded and finds
supporters among the men who have
dealings with the fishermen.
One bill at least will have for its OBJ
Ject the prohibition of traps. The op-
position to the traps does not come so
much from the Sound and Columbia
river as it does from the interior and
other sections of the state not vitally
interested in the fish industry.
The fish legislation will be precipi-
tated by the report of the senate COM
mittee, which has been investigating
the industry during the past two sea-
sons for the purpose of making recon-
mendations to the legislature. The
committee will be compelled to make
some recommendations, or at least
present the subject in manner which
will call forth legislation.
Men who have been watching the
course of fish legislation expect that
there will be several attempts made
during the session of the legislature
next winter to change the existing
laws and v Work for some reforms which
are believed to be needed.
Fish Commissioner Little Will prob
ably recommend few changes, There
are some detects in the license feature
of the law, which will be shown and
the com missioner may ask that they
be amended. He will make numerous
recommendations regarding the estab-
lishment of number of hatcheries on
Puget Sound and Columbia river trib-
utaries. The question OF fish trap
legislation Will probably be ign ored, as
the commissioner does not believe it
is his duty to make such suggestions.
Right or wrong, the antl-fish trap
movement has attained some strength,
though prominent fish men, not allied
with either side of the controversy, be-
lieve the showing will not be as strong
as it was two years ago. A reading OF
the proceedings Of the national fish
congress and eastern fish publications
shows there is sentiment in some
parts of the east against the use of
fish traps on the Sound. The idea
seems to prevail in such cases that an
determination of fish is threatened.
The movement in this state against
the fish traps comes largely from peo-
pie who have no interest in the busi-
ness other than natural pride in pre-
serving one OF the states greatest in
dustries. They feel that the use of
traps is wrong and desire to modify
the laws. The seine and gill-net fish
ermen are opposed to the traps from
selfish reasons. With the traps re-
moved they would monopolize the fish
catching business. The trap men are
lined up strong to prevent their traps
being abolished and the accumulation
of several years swept away.
"Puge, Sound and the Columbia
river, the two greatest fish marts of
the state, are not making any fight on
the traps" said fish man yesterday
who was not allied with either faction.
"The anti-trap movement springs from
people who have no interest in the
business.
"The art of catching fish in traps
comes from the great lakes. 1t is the
most scientific method yet discovered
and is far less dangerous than either
seine or gill-net fishing. The trap
fishermen certainly do get almost
everything save the smaller fish. Very
little escapes them."
Legislation will probably be urged
along the line of amending the license
feature of the fish law and this may be
successful.
Some of the trap fishermen are using
two hearts on one lead, which in some
quarters is construed to be similar to
two traps. They are paying but one
license, and it is intended that legisla-
tion shall be had which will provide
for this contingency.
There is difference in the catch OF
different trap fishermen which the
fish men believe should be taken into
account when licenses are Issued. 1t
is estimated that some of the Columbia
river trap men did not realize more
than $3.50 from their seasons catch
this year, but they are compelled to
paw the same license that is assessed
against the men who caught several
thousand dollars worth of salmon.
They bear the same expense IN putting
their traps in the water and it has
been urged that some difference should
be made In the license fee.
Seine fishermen pay license fee of
$3.50 for nets $50 feet long. When
the nets are 500 feet in length the fee