The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-05
ALASKA REPORTS ALL GONE.
ONLY 4 LIMITED EDITION WAS
PRINTED ron DISTRIBUTION.
the Building Of Fixh Traps 1T
Sand lsland-The Eiah COn saatsst0n
VIII Not send Out BLACK Bass.

WASHINGTON, Ap.i. A statement
recently sent o. ~ Zoe Associated Press
10 the effect TIA, ~, geological survey
had jusgp u5lisle,.sv, orepor tsonAlaskaa
had Just publish ~ reports on Alaska
has eeen productive OF a vast number es
letters to the Washington senators and
representatives.. Every man in the state
interested IN mining and every man think
ing Of going to Alaska this summer. is
writing to his member or savorite seaa-
tor for .nese two reports. The writers
VIII be surprised 10 learn that the entire
edition OF these reports was i.se copies
and these were distributed exactly among
the congressman. 30 that each one re-
ceived two copies. the small number re-
naming being retained by the geological
survey for distribution among scientific
societies. As a result, about eish, people in
the state Of Washington have obtained
copies OF the Becker-Spurr reports. The
others who applied little later than the
lucky ones have received or viii receive
letters OF regret couched in the most
pleasant terms, stating how sorry the
writer's are that they are unable 10 OBJ
tain these reports owing to the niggardiy
attitude Of the government in making so
small an appropriation that such u very
small number were printed.
There Is a possible hope. however. that
some enterprislng senator or member VII
arise and ask unanimous consent for the
printing OF several thousands OF these re-
ports In view of the great interest which
is taken In Alaska at the present time
throughout the United States. In that
event. sometime mex, fall or winter when
the government printing office has had
time to do some of its work II Will prob
ably get around to reprinting these re-
ports and then IL the senators and men,
bers have not forgotten the requests some
thing more substantial IMAM letters Of re-
greet will follow.
Complaint has been made to the secre-
tary OF war of the driving OF piles for
fish traps on the south side Of Sand Is
land, near the mouth OF the Columbia
river. II is claimed that these piles have
been driven simply as "feeier'' on the
part OF those contemplating the erection
of permanent traps, in order 10 ascertain
what action the department will take In
the matter. as the island is a government
reservation 1t IS also asserted that the
erection OF traps in this location means
certain death to all fishermen who use
gill nets. because they depend upon this
location as a harhor of refuge during the
ever-rscurring storms. Representative
Lewis has called upon the war department:
to make an investigation.
Only one or two letters have been re-
ce.ved at the Indian bureau and by mem
bers OF the Washington delegation OPP
posing the opening OF the south half of
the Colviiie reservation. 1t Is urged by
the writer's OF these that action would be
detrimental TO the upper half. where min
eral locators have full sway. and that I,
10 the rowing prospector and specuiafo-
only who are ciamoring for the opening
OF the south half. One writer says he
thinks IL is conservative estimate that
there are now on the south hair at least
go men locating claims. And that IL Ia
unreasonable 10 think that there would
not be trouble and possibly even blood
shed between these people and those who
may come after the law gives them per-
mission. The same objection was made
10 the opening of the north half but e
did not materiaiIze and no trouble or
bloodshed in expected in the event of
opening the south half.
Another objection made Is that 1, will
draw away pfospectors from that part
OF the reservation already ooeresf ard
Ii IL claimed that on the north half only
one claim N go that vera located I'm 1856
has had dollars worth OF work done
on II.
The fish commissioner has refused the
application OF Martin Micheis. Of Ellens-
burg. for the introduction OF black bass
In his lake. stating that II In against the
policy OF the commission 10 stock any
waters on the Pacific coast states with
black bass owing to the danger tina,
might arise from their 'nfreducfi~n fnso
the important salmon streams. His an
pl.ea'ion for carp has also been refused
because The commission has quit distri-
buIlng carp. Some YEARS axo ~
filled zap the Oregon streams with
carp. and the people out there have
not got through complaining about II vet.
Similar results were reached in other seq
tons OF the country, so that the carp dis
tribution VIII never again be part Of the
duties of the United States fish commits
Sion. Mr. Michels has. however. been
promised a supply Of trout later In the
year. provided he desires TO have thssp
fish. and II would certainly be a great
deal better TO stock all the lakes and
streams OF Washington with game trout
than with any other fish.
The applica ton OF Mrs. Alice Remer,
or cosmopoiis. for a patent 10 her home
stead on the northwest quarter OF geo.
ton z, township ~ north. range . west
Is ssill undecided by the secretary OF the
interior The Northern Pacific Railroad
Company = protesting Mrs. Reimer's
homestead. She claims the land az the
wife Of Homer Gibson 3ecea sei The tract
applied for was settled upon and i'm.
proved by Austin Aeard who sold TO Glib
mer husband have continued to live upon
and improve the land until the presen.
time. In lss5 the Northern Pacific pro-
tested sgainst granting Mrs. Remer a
patent. The local Office and the general
land Office have decided in Mrs Re.rnsr.x
favor because the indemnity selection by
the railroad was subsequent TO the r@t-
Element OF the land by Agard The rail-
read company appealed from the decision
81 The general land Office in Decemns,.
fss: pu; the secretary of the Interior fs
50 far behind with the hearings In these
matters that at ,hs pressn, time ,ho~e
Eases Appealed 70 him in October. fxg
are now being considered Those IN Dee
enbgr. fss- Will not be reached for two
or three months yet.
r. +. Edsingron a Newspaper man Of
Eiisnsburg. has come forward as the
friend In need 81 an Old soldier. now liy-
Ing n Kansas. who was marked As a de-
serter az the war department. and has
therefore heea unable 10 &c, a pension.
| M. Eaeington wss frs. lieutenant OF the
company n which this man, william
yE@N gss