The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-31

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer
WASHINGTON. Jan. Ex-senator Per-
kins introduced three bills today affecting
Alaska. They provide amendments to the
existing license system; federal control
and regulation of the salmon fisheries.
and stringent laws for the protection OF
big game. These measures have been pre-
pared after careful study Of the condi-
tion Of Alaska and consultation with the
treasury department and fish commission.
The License Measure.
The license measure readjusts the en-
tire schedule to fit new conditions brought
about by the influx OF gold seekers. All
moneys derived from licenses are to be
set apart for maintenance of public schools
of the district of Alaska.
Salmon Fisheries Bill.
The salmon fisheries bill is designed in
accordance with ideas. advanced by the
fish commission. to protect the salmon
of Alaska from determination. The erec-
ton of dams. barricades. fish wheels and
traps in the streams Of the district is for
bidden, as is the killing or catching of
tide waters or streams less than 500 feet
In width. No net shall be set across the
tide waters for more than one-third of the
width Of the stream, and no seine within
100 feet of any other seine. 1t makes 1t
unlawful to catch salmon in Alaskan
waters. except Bering sea. from p. m.
Saturday each week to s a., M the fol-
lowing day, or to catch salmon in streams
less than 100 yards wide between p. m.
and a. m. the following day each day
of the week. When too many fish are
caught, the secretary Of the treasury may
establish weekly closed season in any
stream, after interested persons have been
given hearing, and at any time may re-
quire the erection of a hatchery at any
cannery or saltery. Sworn statements are
to be made every year Of the catch Of
salmon and the quantity canned and salt
ed; the amount of cod and halibut taken.
and of the fish oil and fertilizer. One
government agent shall be. appointed. at
5000. and an assistant at $1,000, with a
corps of such deputies as may be neces-
sary. Violation of the law shall be pun
ishable by fine of not more than 5000 and
Imprisonment for not more than ninety
days, or both.
Protection of Game.
Senator Perkins Alaska game law pro-
vides that no moose. elk. cariboo, noun
tain sheep or goat shall be killed or trap
ped between November l and September
/, and no deer between December Is and
September Is, under penalty of $3.50 fine
or ninety days imprisonment The native
Indians are exempted SO far as to permit
them to kill game at all seasons for food.
Considerable uneasiness is felt by off,
cals of the war department for the fate
of First Lieut.. Joseph H. Heron, of the
Eighth cavalry; DIR. Carter, contract ply
scian; nine packers and thirteen animals.
composing the party which started out
last April to explore the Sushitna river,
Alaska. Nothing has been heard from
the party since last summer. and 1t Is
feared the members may have perished
They accompanied the expedition led by
Capt. E. F. Glenn, of the Twenty-ninth
infantry, several hundred miles up the
Sushitna, and at that point Lieut.. Heron
and his party started up the Tanana for
the Yukon river, expecting to come out
by the Yukon route. Since then, however,
nothing has been heard from them. If
Herron's party had reached the Yukon
route, the fact would undoubtedly have
been known by this time. The war de-
partment is practically helpless in the
matter, as there Is at present no means
of communication with that part of Alas
kan territory where the party is supposed
to be-
As soon as climatic conditions will per-
init, a relief expeoiton will be sent after
Lieut. Herrons party. unless 1t is heard
of in the meantime. Lieut.. Heron is a
native of Ohio, and graduated at the mil
itary academy in the class of 81.
Opposition to Ship Subsidy.
Prospects for the speedy enactment of
the ship subsidy oil are less encouraging
than they have been at any time since
the session began.
Tonight party leaders are seriously con-
sdering the advisability of submitting a
bill to the caucus OF the Republican MEM
bers Of the house. 1t Is significant. how
ever, that some Republican opponents of
the shipping bill say they will not consent
to making It a party question, and quite
a number IF republicans have said they
would not go into caucus on the bill and
become bound to support the measure IL
the majority decides that 1t ought to be
enacted into law.
1t is probable that II the shipping bill is
made a party measure, it Will become a
law This legislation is favored by the