The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-09


tural spawning grounds of the lat'
lchlnook salmons He operates thre'
large selnes ON these natural spawning
lgrounds and Il Is impossible for fish
Ito spawn. II the salmon industry l
Ito be protected. the legislature should
Icertainly pass law prohibiting fishing
with seines above tide water There
are more Ash destroyed on the three
sand bars owned and operated by Mr.
lSeufert than would supply all the cam
Inerles ON the river Not content with
Icatching small salmon In his fish wheels
In violation OF law, he stops natural
propagation by means OF seines on ma
turai spawning grounds,
II Is certain that Mr.. Seufert Is not
in a position to demand the enforce
ment Of the fishing laws, which he vio-
lates, and offers to pay for the privil-
eye Of violating, He that seeks equity
must do equity" Is maxim OF turis-
prudence with which Mr.. Seufert Is not
familiar.
~Tide water fishermen" says MT.
seufert. have been catching salmon
In season and out. just as they pleased,
and have detied the law and held fish
wardens in contempt. On August lb
ii was the sworn duty OF the wardens
to stop fishing. Did they do its Not
they. Mr.. Van Dusen was gentle as
usual, and said softly Il was no use to
save salmon after that time, because
they would not reach the hatcheries
anyhow"
After reading the above, readers are
requested to again read Mr. Seufert's
letter to Mr.. Van Dusen. Comment on
Mr. Seufert's pious exortation on the
enforcement of ten close season Is not
necessary. There is a wide divergence
in his views between September 10 and
December Z. It might be opportune to
inquire of Mr.. Seufert II he has been
hoplessly converted. or is this only one
OF his spasms, Speaking Of the blue
backs. Mr.. Seufert says:
But these fish are almost entirely
gone Why? Because they were not
propagated at hatcheries. This last
season our cannery packed only 245
cases of bluebacks: the season before
the number was about 400 and the sea-
son before that about 700. With the
gradual disappearance Of bluebacks
we have had to deepen our wheels SO
as to catch chinooks.
Mr.. Seufert is In better position to
explain the determination OF these fish
than any other man in Oregon. 1t is
impossible 20 take salmon for propa-
cation purposes when they are Destroy
ed by the three seines used by Seu-
fert on the natural spawning grounds
on his property, or what he claims TO
own. 1t would not be necessary for Mr..
Seufert to deepen his wheels to catch
the chinooks, II he would cease opera
tions with his seines.
Mr.. Seufert threatens to take a 300
fathom net and go before the legisla-
ture II he has to spread the net all over
the capitol building. He will probably
take up some other inducements In the
shape Of metallic substance Of the realm.
the same as he did in 1895 when a bill
was introduced in the legislature to
abolish fish wheels. The bill passed
the house. but owing TO Mr.. Seufert's
eloquence and winning
ways superinduced by plethoric
pocketbook. a majority of the senate
were convinced that fish wheels were
a necessary adjunct to the propaga-
tion of the salmon industry. Yes, Mr..
5eufert has been a member of the
third house before and intends to be
again.
Stand up, Mr.. Seufert. and explain
10 the people of Oregon why you are so
anxious to have the closing laws en-
forced now, when you wanted to pay for |
the privilege Of violating them on
September 10.
Stand up. Mr.. Seufert, and explain |
10 the people, IL. having fallen from
grace, you have reformed, and are not |
by selfish motives In the de-
nand for a strict enforcement Of the |
ishing laws.
Stand up, Mr.. Seufert, and enlighten |
he public II you are willing to hang |
Ip your seines and stop seining on the
natural spawning grounds of the upper
Columbia.
The people Of Oregon are entitled to
IN explanation relative to your recent |
II you are honest and
,incers in your last statement, no doubt
he men engaged In the industry will |
cooperate with you in securing en-
'orcement Of all fishing laws; but IL
You are simply actuated by selfish |
everyone In oregon who
knows you believes-then you are not |
IN position to dictate to the officers |
charged with the enforcement Of the
fishing laws. The leper cannot change
his spots. 1t is easier for camel to
90 through the eye of needle than for
an up-river canneryman to enter the
kingdom Of heaven, especially carry
no ttCh n Inad ~ Pad