The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-29

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.
Urges That Cannertes Ee Given
Adequate Legal Protection

discussing the fishing industry. with
particular reference 10 salmon. Gov.
BRADY takes up first statistics as To the
run ana eaten, and quotes from the re-
port OF Capt Noser, OF the fish commission
steamer Alhatrcss as to the depletion OF
streams and the relations between the SAL
mon fisheries ard the Indians He then
comments AS follows:
Many people have complained that the
cannery people, especial the large con-
Germs. conduct their business IN ruthless
SORT or way. bringing all their supplies and
nearly all their lahor-Chinamsn Italians
Portuguese and Norweeians-aboard OF
large ships. which are sent 10 their diff
ferent canneries there To remain ,ntiy
the completion Of the fishing season. abou,
the last OF September. tina; these men are
contracted with not 10 receive their wages
until their return to SAM Francisco. While
all this may be true the cannervraen
have no ether recourse When the fsh
are caught they must be canned without
delay, and 10 do this men who are trained
and used 10 II are necessary. They cannot
then undertake TO deaf with natives and
others who have no training whatever
and who have no compunction in breaking
a contract and leaving their work Ia the
middle of the season.
Again, as set forth In last year s report
the canneries have had very little legal
protection. for the reason that they are
at great distances from settled commune
ties. There are probably between eleven
and twelve millions OF dollars invested in
buildings. machinery. tackle. boats and
steam vessels for this industry. They
ought 10 be here 10 stay and to expect
that year after year they could rely upon
doing profitable business. In view, then.
OF what has been given above this IL surely
the proper time for congress to take this
matter in hand. II would probably be best
10 limit the number OF canneries and the
catch I'm accordance with the capacity of
each stream. and put the hatchery business
wholly In the hands OF the United States
tlsh commission. and tax each cannery for
their support In proportion 10 the amount
of ifs pack. Tho fish commission would
no doubt gladly take up The work. and
would have the warm and hearty support
OF all the cannery people
All the laws bearing on this industry
should he both plain and susceptible of but
one Interpretation. And the officers and
means for enforcing the same should be
ample. II does seem that n law should he
framed that would give protection TO the
capital now invested and stilI give justice
10 the natives, who from tine immemorial
have regarded the salmon as their staple
food, and at the same time keep the
streams we'll stocked with fish by the con-
tinual use OF hatfhcries. which should be
under the sole control Of the United States
fish commission.
1T is 10 be hoped that at the coming
session congress will be liberal In giving
every community the proper legal nrotee-
ton that Il should have, and II such pro-
tection is given IL seems that cannery
superintendents ard managers should be
instructed 10 trala and employ natives to
do their work. II this could be brought
about Il would be Of great advantage To
the eannerymen, as they would then have
their iaborsrs permanently near their
works. 1t il becoming more difficult each
year 20 obtain gangs Of Cinnamon. and II
the natives were brought into more har-
moniouS relation with the cannery people
there would doubtless be much less COM
plant on their part about the taking CT
fish. for great many of the Ash which
the natives are I'm the habit Of taking are
not wanted by the canneries
Those Who wish 10 obtain more ~ the
detail concerning the caUneries should Oh
tain the reports of Mr. Howard NJ Kuch'n.
special agent for the protection az Alaska
salmon fisheries under the treasury depart
meat
'"The cod Will always he CIR standby We
probably have the grandest hanks Tn tbs
world II Is a safe calculation that we
have NOT lass than i@5.es square miles II
cod fishing sn connection with the Alaska
coast Here ia an immense wealth simply
waiting for development -