The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-06-20
HUME on VAN DUStN
ROGUE RIVER MAN SUP
pLEMENTS REPORTS.
Bristling Array of Statements
ON salmon Culture, Dam
sites, Etc.
weadenburn, curry County, Oregon,

Weddenburn, Curry County, Oregon,
June 10Th, 1892,
Editor Astorian:--The monthly re-
port Of the Master Fish Warden, Mr.,
II. @. Van Dusen, IS 50 short OF the
facts regarding the hatcherses on
conception of the existing law govern
conception of the existing law govern
Ing the different PARTS of that streem,
/ am moved to add there to, for the
benefit Of your readers and the Oregon
Fish Commission For their informa-
ton will say that own hatchery
on the upper waters Of the Rogue
River, which is operated by the L, $.
Fish Commission. Mr.. j. w, Berrian
in charge, whose report enclose.
which please publish. | also have a
hatchery at Bagnells, about four miles
fro mthe mouth % the Rogue River
which has eighty feeding tanks, be-
sides large pond " res aryoir. One and
a quarter million of Chinook fry were
fed here and turned into the various
creeks along the river About half a
million were reared at the klamath
River, and turned into the stream.
These were the product of the eggs
OF which Mr.. Berrian writes Of having
sent me. Those sent me were hauled
80 miles from the hatchery to Med
ford, jackson county, Oregon. and
sent by rail TO San Francisco, We're
placed in cold storage until the sailing
of the steamer Crescent City for Cres-
cent City, California, and upon arriv-
al at that place, were hauled in light
wagons 50 miles to the hatchery at
Bagnells. this way being taken as there
is no means Of bringing them down
the Coast Range.
As to Mr. Van Dusen's conception Of
the law governing the fishing Of the
upper waters OF Rogue River. | call
attention to the Fish Laws Of Oregon.
compiled and published by the Hon.
Secretary of State. 1901, page -, L.
B. lo7. This Act provides the pro-
lection desired by the people of Med
ford and other parts of Rogue River
Valley, originated with them. intro
dueed by their senator. and still in
force, but never enforced by the Mas
ter Fish Warden. Dividing this peg
rination in the month of May, the
Master Fish Warden visited various
dam-sites where it is proposed to
shut off the supply of salmon from the
best hatcheries in the state. Hatch
cries that have cost the state and
individuals many thousands of dollars,
and instead of prohibiting the erection
of these dams, he very complacently
suggests that the projectors of these
dams shall attach thereto a useless
contrivance--a thing which has never
been success in any salmon stream
OF course the tprOejctors-nice agree
able fellows-will promise TO put in the
thing but who will watch its opera
tion, and. IL a failure, compel the
company to take out it's dam? II is the
duty of the Warden to prevent the
construction Of any dam which alb
structs the passage of salmon. The
idea that person or corporation car
place dams in any stream at theil
own pleasure is a mistake. As his
applies to Rogue River, it is well Il
note that the proposed dam of tbs
Golden Drift Mining Company is fol
the prosecution of an unlawful busi
ness. Rogue River being a navigabl
stream, they have no right to deposi
their debris in the stream. Thi
makees it a peculiar aggravated case
When | came here 26 years ago tn
supply of salmon of Rogue River wa
nearly exhausted. having been destroy
ed by the hydraulic mining. I starte'
a hatchery and managed 10 :ncraas
the supply up the destruction Of tn
hatchery by fire, since which time tn
mining has got the start again.
have, however, had new and bette
hateheries in operation for the pas
three years, and should soon have
fair crop again. Now in addition I
the mining / am confronted by dam
sites. which, If allowed will absolutel
shut off the opportunity of getting tn
seed to plant. have borne the dam