The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-05

Il
ways it Is the richest territory in the
possession of the United States, and
no possession has been 30 long Neglect
ed and SO unsatisfactory administer
3D. The broad views expressed by the
president will appeal with force to
those who know something of present
conditions existing in this northern
possession. He very pointedly says
that the land laws should be liberal in
type, so as to hold out inducements to
the actual settler whom we most de-
sire to see take possession of the coun-
try. The forests of Alaska should be
protected, and, as a secondary but
still important matter, the game also,
and at the same time it is imperative
that the settlers should be allowed to
cut timber, under proper regulations,
for their own use Laws should be
enacted to protect the Alaskan salmon
fisheries against the greed which
would destroy them. The manage
ment and control should be turned
over to the commission of fish and
fisheries Alaska should have dele
gate in the congress, and finally, the
president wisely suggests that it
would be we'll If congressional COM
mittee could visit Alaska and investi-
agte it's needs on the ground. If this
latter recommendation could be acted
upon affirmstively it would be a
splendid thing for the future of
Alaska, for a personal visit would
convince any congressman or senator
that the needs for better laws and
more explicit regulations are matters
already too long delayed.
The Alaksa fishery interests are
second in point of Importance to no
other in the territory, and if justice
is to be accorded this interest without
favor, and to the lasting benefit of the
great salmon industry, congressional
or executive action is imperative.
The secretary of the treasury has
now under consideration the promul-
CATION of an order that will, if issued
and insisted upon, prove very detri-
mental to southern Alaska. The in
tended action of the treasury depart
ment is to close the salmon streams in
this portion of the territory till July
4th, while farther north and to the
! westward there is to be no restrictions
not now in force. The run Of spring
salmon in southeastern Alaska COM
mences in the month of May and
closes in the month of June each year,
and by closing the salmon streams as
indicated the fishing for this class of
high grade salmon would be entirely
cut off. Again, the run Of red sal
mon, or "Sockeyes" commences Fin
some portions of southeastern Alaska
in the early part of June, and the
run in nearly all streams commences
on or before July 1st-the run varying
in dates and quantity somewhat. The
run of this grade of salmon seldom
continues more than thirty-five days,
and the closing of streams until July
4tk would deprive those engaged in
this industry of at least one-half of
the catch of this valuable fish. AS red
salmon forms about one-fifth of the
salmon catch in southeastern Alaska,
and four ffths of the pack is pink OF
humpback salmon-a grade much
cheaper In the market-it is hard for
canneries in the territory referred to
to make any considerable profit on
their business unless combined with q
percentage of the higher grades OF
fish
The contemplated closing of the sal.
mon streams therefore until July 4th
would be an ill-adyised and unjust
discrimination against the great pack
ing interests of southeastern Alaska,
and step that it is hoped Secretary
Shaw will not take.
Another and vital question that
comes in here that demands attention
on the part of the government is that
Of the erection and maintenance of
hatcheries for the propagation of sal.
mon. The regulations now require
each cannery to erect and maintain q
hatchery and demand ten fry of red
fish for each salmon caught. regardless
OF size or specie. 1t does not seem
possible that this regulation means
what 1t says. for it would be physi-
cal impossibility to supply hatcheriea
with sucfient spawn to produce ten
red fish for every salmon of whatever
specie caught. 1t is more reasonable
that the correct interpl citation would
mean to limit the number Of fry to
be Matched in proportion to the differ
emit grades caught, SO that each specie
of salmon should be propogated.
But withal, the articfiial propoes-
ton of fish is difficult science, and
especially true is this of salmon. It is
something that requires great care, es-
pecial knowledge and close attention
As matter of fact. and experience
will demonstrate the truthfulness of
the assertion, the only correct way to
conduct these hatcheries is for the
government to take them in charge