The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-23
n. D. HUME EXPIRES
SES SOME IDEAS
CLAIMS THAT THIRTY YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATES
FUTILITY or PRESENT SALMON
HATCHERY METHODS.

The following letter was received In
this city yesterday by one Of the lead
Ing cannerymcn on the coast and the
exceeding Importance Of Its contents
amplihed by the ability and experience
Of its author. who IA equally well known
here and treating as II does with the
paramount sea and river industry at
this port, and country, moved him 70
permit the publication Of the letter in
these columns he did not offer an
opinion on the grave question, for nor
against, the convictions Of his CORE.
spoDdent, and the Morning Astofian
takes the same privilege Of reserying
IT. conclusions In the matter until a
more proptious moment. The letter Is
aA follows;
u presume you saw my letter in the
Oirgoniap, which states. briefly, my po-
sition. The Radium, for September,
will deal with the matter at greater
length. Every effort has been made
to destroy the run Of salmon (by In.
terestcd particsl that the evidence OF
my operations should attract no notice.
from those interested in the industry.
The fact IL, that the whole method
pursued By the state is erroneous and
Of no benefit to the industry.
ffhe runs are becoming less and less
every year in spite Of the money spent,
and the millions and millions OF fry and
eggs thrown into the stream. None
am so ignorant as those who will not
learn when the evidence is presented in
the way Of actual demonstration.
"My operations and writings for the
past thirty years, should convince most
minds that such work ms mas been car
ried on by the state, is OF no use.
Where are the millions Of fry that have
been turned into the tributaries of the
Columbia river for that long period
All the sensible fisheulturists Of both
states are convinced that my system is
correct, but Astoria's wise man Is get
ting the laws revoked that furnish pro
lection and money to throw away in
the effort to make a showing in print,
caring nothing for what may happen
TO the industry,
$50 far as | am concerned ! have
enough to live on for the balance of my
life, but would like to see the indus
try from which | have acquired my
fortune fostercd, especially when il is
such simple matter to do it, AT the
rate the runs am diminishing the Co
umbia river. in less than five years
from this date, will not have can
merry nor a cold storage plant in oper.
alton.
"rhose interested (which means the
state) should wake up ere it is too late
TO preserve the seed. One tenth Of the
fry which II is purported has been put
in, ii fed, until six inches in length,
would make the Columbia TEEN with
salmon, and only cost a triile compared
with the amount for which we have
been taxed heretofore. There is a con-
tinual call for more, and doubtless
more would come cheerfully and quick.
". il there was evidence OF a benefit
"As you know, the runs in the Co
lumbia are fast deteriorating in guam
tity and quality, and as may per-
ceive, the later runs are steadily grow
ing less year by year, Nothing will
save the stream from total extinction
as salmon stream for canning and
oldstorage. but tire adoption of feed
ing stations; of this am satisfied, and,
in fact, ahve proven, that the only
good that has come to Rogue River
is through eggs hatehed in the lower
rivers and the resultant fry fed un-
til they could eat, instead of being
eaten. There should be an entire change
in the methods now in vogue, and it
would seem that thirty years was time
enough to demonstrate the weakness OF
the methods heretofore pursued.
"The coming legislature should take
up the matter earnestly and pass some
act to correct the present conditions.
"Yours truly,
ar n HIrMEn