The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-03
THE SALMON QUESTION.

THE SALMON QUESTION.
Conflicting interests have arisen be-
tween the Washington and oregon au-
thorities over the fisheries question.
While the interests bf both states are
identical. yet fish legislation by joint
actions OF both legislatures has not
been productive OF results. Antagon-
isms have arisen between the Washing
ton fish commissioner and the master
fish warden Of Oregon. each seeking
to protect the interests Of their indi-
vidual state as the exiginces require.
Both gentlemen have submitted their
annual reports and they will be sub
mitted TO the legislatures for consider
alton. with all due respect to the hon
esty Of purpose Of the master fish
warden's report. there is something
lacking. and something more needed
which will be the subject OF legislative
action.
There is a growing sentiment in Ore
gon. both on the upper and lower CO.
lumber river. for radical changes in
our fishing laws. The office of master
fish warden is an unnecessary office
and the results produced are dispro-
portionate to the costs and expenses
Of maintaining the Office What is
needed is a commission consisting OF
two cannerymen, two fishermen and
the governor Of the state. One Of the
commission TO be superintendent OF
hatcheries. With the exception of the
superintendent of hatcheries, the COM
mission would be willing to serve
without pay, except necessary travel
ing expenses when no official business. |
A clerk of the commission could be se- |
lected to collect and the licenses and |
attend to the routine business of the |
commission. The officers Of the coun-
ties can enforce the fishing laws. The |
object Of having a commission com
posed Of fishermen and cannerymen is
that they are the persons directly in
terested and benefited by the salmon
Industry and will, as matter Of per- !
sonal interest, see that the laws are
strictly enforced. the hatcheries prop
erly constructed, and operated, and |
there is no question but the results
win be much more satisfactory. The
commission can establish the open and
close seasons, according to the run Of
salmon. They will be sufficiently in
terested in the industry to see that. the
royal chinook is propagated, and an
interim they can be fishing out the
inferior fish now being propagated until
propagation.
What is needed in the fishing in
dustry of oregon, Is less seines and /
more business. Less red tape and more
results. Fewer newspaper articles and
annual reports and more fish When
these changes are made, and the can
nerymen on both sides Of the river {
confer together for mutual interests
and protection Of the industry. they will
be in a position to go before the legis- [
lature and secure adequate appropria- 1
tons to meet the expenses of fish
They are the ones inter-
ested and will certainly look out for (
their interests and the states as we'll a
The salmon industry is the second in I
dustry in the state, and It should be Ii
by men familiar with all the a
branches Of the business. II doesn't d
require a master wheat warden to regu- ly
late the raising of wheat This busi- [
ness is managed by warehousemen and /
farmers, at no expense to the state. I
No logging and lumber warden is I
necessary. this business being managed n
by the men engaged in the business. h
Why cannot the salmon business be a
in the same way That radical b
shanges are necessary in our fishing g
avs is apparent The abolishment Of e
he present fish commission. the enact.
nent Of law in one short section and
possible changes in the opening and
lose season as may be necessary, !,
'hould meet with the approval Of the :
legislature of oregon. The present
avs are too cumbersome, too long and z
complex, and even the attorneys are :
Incapable of dissection them with any =
Iegree of intelligence.