The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-09-21


Of C. /. HOOD & Co., Lowell, Mass.
could not ascend until the late Sep
tember rains raised the water-over
&c, coo redfish were taken between Sept.
to 20. It is claimed that after the
fishing season is over some OF lie rails
OF the barbados are knocked out tol
allow the remaining stragglers to pass
through, but this is doubtful.
The Alaska salmon law passed June
9. 1896, is very explicit, regarding bar
ricades and other distractions, and
declares the erection of all such OBJ
structions which prevent the ascent OF
the salmon TO the spawning grounds
to be unlawful. 1t also makes it I'M
lawful to catch any salmon above the
tidewaters, or to. set a net across tide
waters for more than third the width
of the stream, and these nets to he at
least 100 yards apart. This law, how
ever, is regarded as inadequate in some
vital respects, but there is no agree
ment among the cannery people as to
what the law should be. There ia,
however, general inclination toward
tax on the output of each cannery
and saltery, for the support of hatch
cries, and the suggestion that streams
be leased for term of years has every
where met with favor.
In further comment, Commander
Moser says:
"It must be admitted that the laws
and regulations pertaining to Alaska
salmon fisheries are very generally
disregarded, and that they do not pre-
vent the illegal capture of fish. There
is one case in which the law is likely
to be respected, and that is when rival
canneries, fishing in the same locality,
are MOI mutually benefited by its non
observance.
"While in minor degree. the law
may be defective, and owing to the
varying conditions found in the vast
extent of territory involved, may need
amending, stillit is as good as 1t stands
and for the present it only needs en-
forcement, and this is not a difficult
matter if the proper steps are taken.
Without considering the large amount
of money invested in the salmon fish
cries of Alaska, the output is worth in
round numbers $4,000, 900 a year.
Should not such an industry be foster
ed and properly prote,ted?"
Ia 1898 the secretary of the treasury
sent letter to the house of represen-
tatives, recommending a change OF the
Alaska salmon law, to make it meet
requirements. The recommendations
he made for material changes in the
law of 1896 are briefly stated, as fol-
lows:
"First. The erection OF traps only
under regulations prescribed by the
secretary of the treasury.
"Second. The withdrawal of the
protection afforded by the present law
to salmon trout, it being generally I'M
derstood that the latter species are de-
stryctive to salmon spawn and fry.
"Third. The extension of the opera
tons of the law to the territorial wa
tiers of Alaska, thereby preventing the
erection of stationary distractions in
the approaches to rivers and streams.
Fourth. The prohibition of the
erection of salmon canneries in Alaska
without permit from the secretary OF
the treasury.
Fifth. The requirement of a de-
tailed annual statement of the oper-
ations of all canneries and manufac-
torres of fish-oil production 10 the
| special agents for the salmon fisheries.
Sixth. The detailing of an employe
of the treasury department to act as
an additional special agent without
extra compensation.
Seventh. The imposition of tax
u pom the output of all canneries, salt
eries, fish-oil or fish-fertilizer works.
eighth. Changing the penalty for
violation OF this act from a maximum
fine of 81 600 to $5,000."-Seattle
Trade Register.