The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-02
NAME THE DATE, MR.. WEIGH.

Mr.. Dan Welch is one of those men who I'M
agine situations and conditions to fit their argu-
ments. He has involved himself in the discussion
for an extended fishing season, and has painted
for others picture which he proceeds to criticise
This is the favorite trick of the man without thun-
prise in this particular case.
Mr.. Welch makes the very great error of thinking
that Samuel Elmore influences the utterances of
The Astorian. His reference to what Mr.. Elmore
publishes in his paper is the verest rot. Mr.. Ell
more receives at the hands of The Astoran just as
much consideration as is shown any other law-abid-
ing citizen. Occasionally Mr.. Elmore is invited to
express his opinion for publication but the ''pub-
fishing" authority is vested in some one else A
few days ago MFR. Elmore was asked by representa-
tive of The Astoran to express his view Of the pro
posal of the Washington fish commissioner for ex-
tension of the season. He said he was opposed to
any such extension, and stated his reasons Mr.
Elmore ought to know something about the salmon
business by this tme and we have an idea he is quite
capable of defending his position. Certainly, The
Astorian shall not undertake to assist him.
So far as The Astorian is concerned, it has ex-
pressed itself with reference to the matter In the
very article which Mr.. Welch sees fit to criticise,
The Astorian agreed that, if the quality of colum-
bia river fish were such as to justify extension of
the season. the time for closing should be altered
1t insisted then and insists now, that there should
be strict compliance with the law If Mr. Welch
can find anything in position to attack we would
gladly afford him the opportunity Of doing So Mr.
Welch says that Mr.. Elmore is prompted to declare
himself against extension of the season by desire
to further 4s own interests but it is mystifying to
us that The 1Astorian should be held accountable on
this score Mr. Elmore is salmon packer, and prob
ably opposes extension of the season out Of a de-
sire to advance his own interests, just as Mr. Wech
favors extension because of desire to better him
self. If it be shown that the season should be
extended -and nothing which Mr. Welch has yet
written would justify this belef-The Astorian is
quite willing that the law be amended
Mr. Welch voices the same argument that was used
few days ago by the Daily News in discussing the
matter ~ would like to know he says "why
Columbia river salmon are frst-cass on August Is
and 16 the end of the season. and then on about the
18th they suddenly turn white and very nferior?"
Well, Mr.. Welch, who ever made any such state
ment? Nothing has ever appeared in The Astorian
that would prompt such question: yet here we have
Mr. Welch propounding it. Mr. Welch, who seems
to have very positive ideas will undoubtedly be able
to tell us just when salmon become inferior and
probably will in his next letter suggest date for
closing. He is not satisfied that fishing operations
should cease August 15 but neglects to say when
they should be suspended
We would consider it very great favor if our new
salmon expert would be good enough to enumerate
some OF the salmon packers who were not satisfied to
suspend operations August Is, 1903 Mr. Welch saws
the picked fish put up last year in August were
better in quality than much of the fish taken in
April In direct contradiction Of this assertion we
have the statement Of packers for it that nearly all
the salmon were Of "off" color before August Is
OF last year. If fish were of such good quality last
year, why did not the canneries continue in oper-
ation9 Fishermen could have been found who would
rum the risk of arrest. Mr. Welchs deductions do
not seem to correspond with the facts
Apart from all this, however, The Astorian has
objected only to one proposition advanced by
those who want to see the law ignored this year.
This suggestion came from the Daily Budget and.
finding its way to valley papers, was given ihuch
prominence. We protest that advertising of this
sort is not beneficial If the law is wrong it should
be amended but, so long as it is in force, it should