The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-03
CHAMBER COMMERCE
MEETING
REPORT OF MANAGER wHYTE
HEARD--SEcRETARy ROSENBERG
SENDS COMMUNICATION - CHAM.
BIER WILL GIVE DOLLAR DINNER.

evening goodly number Of the mem
bes being present, The minutes Of th,
lprcyious meeting were read and approx
cd after which the report Of Manager
Whyte was read as follows,
I'VE have received letter from II
Rosenberg, secretary OF the Fishermen,
Union as follows;
"'Seattle. Nov. as. 1907.
"'To the onlccrs and Members Of the
Astoria Chamber OF Commerce,
Astoria. Oregon,
"'Gentlemen;--on my recent visit 10
Astoria the report OF your committee on
fisheries mas shown ME, the committee
In this report recommending that the
Chamber OF Commerce favor the stop.
ping OF fishing for salmon in the Colum.
bia River at tile water,
"'The United Fishermen OF the Pa.
eihc wen organized three years ago at
Astoria, Oregon. by delegates from the
various local hshermen's unions OF the
Pacific Coast and Alaska for the specific
purpose of getting laws enacted insuring
the continuance OF the fishery industry,
"'As the executive officer OF the
United Fishermen OF the Pacific II IA
really needless for me 10 say that the
above mentioned action Of the Astoria
Chamber OF Commerce Is heartily eniors.
ed By our organization. II Il generally
recognized by all those informed about
the salmon fishing Of the Columbia, and
for that matter about the salmon fishing
OF this coast. that the salmon must
have protection where they have no show
to escape in their efforts to reach our
hatcheries and natural spawning
grounds.
Every country in Europe which has
streams into which salmon ascend; every
state in our United States. has passed
legislation prohibiting or limiting the
catching Of salmon in the upper reaches
OF our rivers. Canada draws very strict
lines prohibiting fishing for salmon. For
instance. in the Fraser River. river
second only in size on this coast to the
Columbia. fishing for salmon Is allowed
only for so miles from the mouth Of the
liver. with this proviso; that no station.
iry gear. that Is. fish traps or fab wheels.
ire permitted; that the length and
iepth OF the gill nets are limited; fur.
her that in the upper 30 miles OF the
70 miles permitted to fishing, only actual
ettlers can fish, and that while In the |
irst 20 miles OF ashing grounds. there
5 weekly 36'hour closing season. in
hese upper 80 miles there in a 4s.hour
weekly closing season.
ait is evident to every body In the
east familiar with fishery conditions on
he Columbia River that the fishing
rom Vancouver and up. fishing carried
N mainly by fish wheels, Is rapidly de-
troying the great salmon industry of
he Columbia.
efforts made in the past to have the
OF Oregon and Washington
nact laws in line with laws passed in
ther states and countries TO preserve
he salmon have failed because the men
Who now have the monopoly OF the fish |
wheels in the upper Columbia somehow
we're able to misrepresent the facts and
ain the support OF sufficient number
# Legislators to prevent the remedy
Ieeded.
"I am fully convinced that the same
Id tricks will be played II we attempt
legislature remedy against the fish
wheels at the next session Of the Legis.
ature, but / am also fully convinced
hat II we bring this question to the
ote of the people Of Oregon-as we
ow have the right to do under the in
tiative and referendum law--there will
e an overwhelming majority In favor
I saving the fisheries OF the Columbia
liver, one of the leading, II not the
eading, industry Of the State of Oregon.
"'The methods 80 far agreed to carry
n this work Of preserving our salmon
re as follows: The Columbia River
almon Protective Association will be
with headquarters at
'ortland, Ore. Mr.. G. NJ. 0rton Of
he Multnomah Printing Company Of
ortland, Oregon, has been asked to
srve as President, and has agreed to
0 so, Judge Mcbride has agreed to
srve on the Board Of Directors. The
.storia Savings Bank has agreed to act
s Treasurer of the Association. Busi.
ess men of standing down state,
ave likewise agreed to serve on the
oard Of Directors. In fact, after ID
ears Of failure to enact really protec.
We legislation for the saving Of the
llmon industry on the Columbia River,
aiding political and business men Of
le State of Oregon, working from the
aiding city of the state, will now try