Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-09
MORE THAN 100000
Aggregate Of Salmon Caught
in Alaskan Waters.
CANNERIES INCREASED
DISREGARD OF LAW "EXCEP-
TIONAL AND TRIVIAL"
So Says Special Agent Howard M.
Kutchin in an Exhaustive Re-
port Just Submitted.
CANNERIES INCREASED

Now, when the Alaskan boundary ques-
ton is about to be submitted to an interna-
tional commission, the report on the sal
mon fisheries Of Alaska for last season by
Howard M. Kutchin, special agent. just
submitted, is of more than ordinary inter-
est.
There has been a notable increase in
the number of canneries and salteries over
those included in last years report, name
y, nine new canneries and twelve salter-
les" the report says. The total in opera
ton were sixty-four canneries and eight
cen salteries Two canneries and three
salterfes were discontinued this season. In
addition to the former number, there are
five canneries under process of construction,
which will pack next year.
1.-THE total pack of the Alaska salmon
fisheries for 1902 is 554.659 cases in excess
of that of 1901
THE entire take Of salmon represents
80, 26o,O56 fish, and reaches the colossal
figures Of 126, 303, 800 pounds of food pre-
pared for the table.
LAS compared with the catch Of all other
salmon fisheries on this continent Cor in
the world. for that matter), it is 1881 800
cases against 1,6s6,311. The grand total
is 4317,631 as against 5,O4S,773 cases last
year. showing decline of 531 ,142 cases
from the aggregate pack of 1901.
Not Conformed to in Full Intent.
1.-THE regulations of the department re-
quiring the operation Of hatcheries at every
cannery and saltery have not been con-
formed to in the full intent In my judg-
ment they never can be. Nevertheless there
has been encouraging progress in this d.
rection.
I'm relation to violations of existing laws
for the preservation Of the fisheries, it is
my belief-the result of long-extended and
careful obServation-that disregard of the
same is exceptional and relatively trivial
in effect. and that were there no greater
threat against the perpetuity of these fish
cries their lasting quality would not be Sc
riously endangered. In the main, such vio-
lations as were found this season were
technical and unimportant, and largely
confined to natives and irresponsible fish
ermen with nothing at stake.
THE larger companies recognize the fact
that their own lasting interests are de-
pendent upon an observance OF the law,
and show a sensible readiness to protect
their property privileges. The real danger
comes from an unrestricted multiplication
of packing plants and from fierce COM
petition disassociated from all unity of in
terest. How long the present supply of
salmon can withstand the stupendous drain
of existing lawful methods is too acute a
question to be Indefinitely postponed
In recapitulation of statistical tables,
which form part Of the valuable report it
try of Alaska for the season of 1902 is in
the hands of forty-four corpora tons, firms
or individuals, operating Ga canneries and
10 salteries: besides a few concerns Of tri-
fling capacity from which no reports have
been received.
The aggregate capital stock represented
is set down at s25, 799, 500 though this is
not In all cases fully paid up and in some
Instances largely exceeds the actual capt.
tai employed. The total valuation of
plants. including shipping, is s8,4OG,75O
Despite gain of over half million cases
IN Alaska, the pack of salmon of the world
falls considerably short Of that Of 1901.
The catch of that season showed an in
crease at nearly every fishery, which is
not the case this year.
More Than SO, 900, 900 Salmon.
The aggregate number of salmon Of all
varieties taken is &c, 265, O56. separated as
King, 207, 676; red, 22.925, 1862; sill
yer, 627, 1851; humpbacks and dog, 1861
367. The inferior grades represent about
36 per cent Of the whole. or something
more than one-third. This is smaller pro-
portion than was shown last year.
The total market value Of the seasons
pack is $s,667, 673, as against $6,92616 last
year, an increase of s1,741 500, or upward
Of % per cent.
The total number of hands employed at
the several fisheries was 1892, or 21S2
more than last year. This respectable army
of workers was made up of 1857 whites,
1916 Chinese and Japs and 2679 natives.
The aggregate amount paid in wages was
81, O6O. 6S2, approximately one-half of the
sum total of gross receipts.
The outlay for tin plate was 81 3S3, $50, the
Alaska Packers having paid out S64O, 900
and the Pacific Packing and Navigation
Company S323, 725 of this amount
The total tax collectable is sos, sos. 49, Of
which the Alaska Packers Association
pays $50, 154.94, and the Pacific Packing
and Navigation Company, s25, g. Last
years collection was $S7, 622.95
The shipping employed in the industry
125 steam vessels and sixty
eight sailing ships. Lighters and small
boats number aba.
Fishing gear is composed Of 251 seines