The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-28

| salmon that would render the FairhaVen
| plant Inadequate to the need.
The transfer includes all the brands ana
labels of the two plants, some OF Whlcn
have been on the Eastern markets since
1852, when the Seaborg plant was organ
ized The company has named Delafield,
McGovern & Co, OF New York, one OF me
largest concerns of its kind in the united
Staes, exclusive sales agent.
Everything Is in good condition TO pro-
coed with business, which the stockhold-
ers Of the new company say never nad
brighter outlook for a new enterprise.
New York Capitalist i'm IT.
The deal which has just been closed was
engineered by Thomas b. McGovern,
wealthy capitalist and business man or
New York. For several years he has been
identified with the fishing interests Of Pu-
get sound. and his firm. Deiafield. Nc
Govern & Co., of New York, has probably
handled as many cases OF canned salmon
as any brokerage firm in the United
States. Mr. McGovern came to the Coast
three weeks ago and Immediately there
after rumors of gigantic cannery COM
bination to include a dozen or more OF the
leading plants In this and the Columbia
river districts became rife. That an at
tempt was made to include more than the
two plants taken in IS known. but for some
reason, said to be too high prices asked
for the properties, the matter fell through.
The present company, however. is not
closed and according to the stockholders
will from time to time acquire desirable
fishing properties. and It is intimated that
other plants may be taken in before the
season Is over
1T is not so much question of capa-
city," said Mr.. McGovern yesterday, "aS
It is to get the fish. We must have fish
before we can pack them. We have Sc
cured twenty of the most valuable traps
on the Sound, and expect to get some
more within few days. The new COM
pany absorbs only two plants, one OF which
we shall expand This will give us pack
ing capacity for all the fish we can catch
with our traps. As we acquire more fish
ing ground our pack VIII increase ana
then IL found necessary we may acquire
or build other canneries At present l
may say we do not contemplate purchas-
ing any more canneries, but shall buy
more traps.
Expect a Large Business.
I'VE have a good start and anticipate
doing large business. l have every con-
fidence that we shall be able to secure
enough fish this season to put up 10000
to 200000 cases of the best brands of sal
mon. OF course there Is an old theory that
was the case, then last year. which was
the third, should not have been very good.
On the contrary, 1t was a record-breaker,
and so the theory is exploded.
MANY things, however, have contrfbut-
ed TO work a change In the fish catch in
the Puget sound and Columbia river dis
tricts. The hatcheries, in the first place.
have done much. Then again, there is
more web in Puget sound than ever be-
fore. Traps have been improved and the
fishermen have the business down to a
science. 80 II Is tndt all THESE changes
combine to increase the fish catch In
these waters each year. There Is every
indication that the catch for the season
of 1900 will at least be satisfactory. We
are figuring on this I'm new organiza-
ton. at any rate, and / don't believe we
shall be disappointed.
THE market outlook could not be better
1t is excellent. Notwithstanding that last
year had a record pack. 1t has nearly all
been distributed # is safe to say that
now there are but a few small lots in
first hands. The iobbers and retailers are
carrying larger stocks than usual But
the consumption season is just now COM
ing on and there is no doubt that these
holdings will all be moved out before the
new pack is ready to go on the market.
zone of the strongest points in the mar
ket IL that the pack on the Pacific coast
is indicated by the state of prosperity on
the Columbia river and the prices fixed for
Columbia river fish, which excels In quail
ity as well as leads in price all other can
ned salmon product of the country, The
prospects are that the prices of Columbia
river salmon will be maintained at from
Is to 20 per cent. higher than they were
last season. This is significant when you
consider that last year the price was %
per cent. higher than In 1898.
Meeting TO Fix Prices.
II leave Seattle tonight to attend a
meeting OF the Columbia River hackers
Association in Portland AT this meet
ing the association viii make price list
for the season. and there Is no doubt that
1t will show the increase Indicated. The
present price paid for raw fish in that
district is cents. This has increased the
cost of the canned goods 81 case.