The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-10-26
A Hypothetical Case.

The oyster industry OF Mason County
has "millions" in it, and the control
and centering of the interests in one
hands would prove an invaluable
monopoly.
Not so very long ago we learned that
the representative of big concern
was looking over the oyster proposition
in Mason County with the view of
purchasing the most valuable grounds
held by Independent individuals.
Another company, Or perhaps the
same concern, has purchased all the
tide lands suitable for oyster culture
near the head of Hood Canal, and are
now holding them without attempt at
| improvement Perhaps they hope to
secure the natural reserves on the
Canal.
When the syndicate of Shelton men
purchased the Smith beds on Oyster
Bay, it was reported that the big con-
Germ was after them.
Several hundred individuals have
purchased tide and oyster lands on
the shores of the bays in this County,
until now hardly foot of lands suit
able for oyster culture is available.
Most OF these lands do not naturally
produce oysters although they may
have thriyed there in past years. On
less than half dozen of these indi
vidual holdings will oysters spawn,
hence they must have access to the
natural beds for seed.
Practically all the natural beds IN
Mason County from which seed oys-
tiers can be secured, are, under exist
ing laws, held by the state as reserves
and individual oystermen, by paying a
license fee, are permitted to tong
therefrom oyster seed in certain
seasons, 10 seed and replenish their
beds. The nest natural bed in this
section, from which the oystermen
from all over the upper Sound secured
thousands Of sacks of seed last summer,
are located at the "Narrows" at the
head of Big Skookum bay.
The state disposes of its tide and
and oyster ground at very nominal
figures, and is receiving very little
from the natural beds. We have
frequently heard the argument used
that the state should sell the natural
bed and get something out of them.
If this Is done the valuable established
beds OF to day would s~ol pass into
the hands of an oyster monopoly, as
well as the natural beds, regardless of
price. Those who refused to sell
would be szfrozen OUT and the hun
dreds of seed-les tide land purchasers
would see the money they bad spent
in purchase and Improvements, sink
out of sight in value less mud-hats, in
stead of the profitable oyster beds
their vision held in store.
Mcdonald & O'Neill are the largest
holders of oyster grounds on this bay
and also own the Heilberger beds.
They also hold, it is claimed, a lease
on the "Narrows," but have allowed
all persons to tong from these natural
beds, and remove what seed they
desired.
The tendency of the age is concen-
tration, and the people are responsible
for 1t. When conditions are brought
around right, so that the oyster indus
try can be ccrnered, it will be bought
up and consolidated in che interest,
and owners will be handsomely paid
where their holdings are needed. We
| holirve the time will come when new
bis'si will control the budding oyster
industry, a different class of la
1.bor be employed, but let US hold this
off as long as possible, by leaving the
natural beds open to all, rich or poor.
Here is hypothetical case, it may
have no foundation, but still furnishes
food for thought:
Suppose bill should be int: oduced
into the next legislature providing for
the sale of the natural oyster reserves.
subject to the appraisement of the
connty tide land appraisers, and that
a section provided that lessor, or
abatting owner, or some other person
with a shadow of prior right, had the
preferred ssht of purchase.
Granting this premise to be true,
How would Gunderson vote?
How would O'Neill vote?