The Alaska citizen., 1910-06-04
ID BE OPPOSED BY FISH TRUST
Corporation Which Objects to Paying Taxes Will Not Let Bill Through With out Strenuous Fight---At Present Pays 32 Gents Per Anngn

r for the taxation of the Alaskan fishing industry. Delegate Wicker sham said that the main object of the bill was to remove some of the defects of the measure.
 At the outset MT. Wickersham explained that he had nothing but the best feelings toward the people connected with the fishing industry in Alaska, but that the trade was highly important and that he would not wish the members of the com mite, to do anything that was un- fair to an industry that brought SIo,ooo annually into the United States. Continuing, the delegate said.
 But I have one criticism to make of the manner in which they are now conducting that business in Alaska, and l have to some extent embodied those criticisms in this bill. But in going over the bill more carefully l am satisfied that 1t will need correction. As you will hear the witnesses and the at toraeys for the companies operating there l am satisfied that the con- mittee will come to the conclusion that some corrections should be made in the bill, ard 1 certainly have come to that conclusion my self. '
 The delegate then explained to the committee the method adopted of obtaining rebates for releasing fry. The members of the commit tee were very interested i'll the ex- planation and one wished to know if they are subject to government inspection.
 "1he law says SO, " replied MT. WiCkersham, but there has never been any inspection. As a matter Of fact, they make an inspection before the certificates are first is sued; that is when the Cannerv Is first erected there is an inspection. But after that l understand there is practically no inspection of any kind, although to some extent there must be some formal inspection at least, because the government maintains some hatcheries itself in Alaska"
 After showing the number ot hatcheries, where located and the amount of fry turned loose, and calling attention to the fact that the Alaska Packers Association paid but 5 cents in taxes for 1907, the delegate continues:
 "I am not accusing any of these companies, gentlemen, of violating the law, or anything of that kind; l am merely pointing out the facts to you. think they are very largely keeping within the law. It is the law 1 am complaining about, and not the fishermen or the fish ing companies.
 We must get some idea of what the government is losing by this rebate law. Excluding the government hatcheries for I9o7-6, the fry liberated amounted to S6,- 476,oo For every thousand fry, of which there were 86,476, the canner;es get rebate on ten cases, or rebate of 87,76o cases of AS cans of one pound each. The gov ernment tax on that is four cents a case. or 664 ,76o at I cents case equals S34, 5So.6o of rebate, In other words the government gives five private hatcheries that sum in rebates with which to maintain their private hatcheries for their own private benefit, "
 The delegate then described how each year an immense fleet Of Chi nese, Japanese and foreigners sail north, baying their supplies out side, take out something like SIo,- GOO, 900 year and sail away again, not paying a cent on shore prop erty and leaving a few Watchmen to care for their plants the rest of the year. He submitted 8 mass ot