Iditarod pioneer., 1915-07-24
THE ALASKA FISHERIES

THE ALASKA FISHERIES
 There has been published public document speech of Delegate James Wckeham of Alaska on the Alaska fisheries which has been given the attention the press of the territory which its importance entities and the of which should be known to every resident of Alaska who has the of the terrtoryand indeed ot the naton-a heart It copy of bill GIL K Zlo0O to amend the laws for the protection and regulation of the fisheries o Alaska The delegate that for three days the deputy of fisheries Virginia carried the bill around the capitol attempt ing introduction by members of from the Pacc who their credit invariably refused to introduce tor hn Tn my judgment says the delegate it the cumnaton o the e forts of the fish monopoly of the Alaska hsh cries. and unless congress shall op look and listen and know thing about the fisheries situation Alaska the Swift meat trust the Booth Fisheries Company and the Alaska Packers Association will ovn well control the food supply of Alaska under their arrangement and this bill matter of such serious mpor ance the people of the United States and especially to those Alaska and the Pacific coast that the widest publicity ought to be gwen concerning 1t.
 Mr. Wickeham has incorporated his the question let ter to the President which forth full the document under dscusson and which constitutes o the ance apparent venay with which the laws governing this most important of Aaska's resources have been admnleed
 The letter the details of the organization of the fisheries trust its apparent control of United States officials ned with the enforce the fisheries laws of the rewards meed out by to former officials who have been Of it, of seemingly corrupt transfer properly and of the collaboration of United States officials with the fish trust in lobbying favorable the through These revelations fortified by from reports of congresslona Investigations indicate that the bureau of hshene has been used adjunct of the fish all matters relating to Alaska fisheries Speaking of this bureau and its connection with the trust, egate Wickersham proceeds as follows:
 % 4bst IS t b eqs5 htsd n nee 3 5Tno' bx be ep seem;
 Yet s seen to too oft fan familiar jar with an her m tacs
 M % 6s5s % has long n a on m 4o M filled & H 1 py m the 9Sr p % ] % @ ::s T s. , 5:;s;:s n :: s: b % % @ % saopo @ ] % % h @ % E the 5 s y % 5 n % p ss be right the v ~ Probably the most startling portion of Mr. Wickerham letter the President that relative labor conditions He tells how Aaskas fish crop which last year amounted 95o5 o40 harvested by the Chinese Japanese Fpmo Mexican and other recruited the of Washington Oregon and California These the close of the loaded vessels together with the product of the and sail Alaska has lost another crop the delegate home church school house has been bu child educated Alaska out of the great fishery Suppose Georgia should send such fleet loaded with such imported aboers and take such from the oyster beds of Maryland what would happen? He gives the details of the peonage system and copy the which binds the wokmen the sav cry during the fishing which he gives official proof and It the peon and dgrades him with abuse and misery; also takes away fair living wages which these enormously wealthy criminals could and fairly ought pay the resident fishermen of Alaska.
 As remedy Mr. Wckersham makes several recommendations which, account of the great familiarity and understanding ot the subject d yed by him. entitled the closest study by the es dent and congress- The wisdom least of these ecomenda probably will be questioned the control of the fish the Alaska territorial Under present conditions than likely that the fish would be able accomplish objects readily through the territorial does through the fisheries bureau of the federal government The mendaon that congress send committee composed the chamen of senate committees to investigate good the light that congress and the country large has this subject the the conditions complained of will be remeded To the suggested by the delegate should be added however, repre- of labor That phase of the question important the conservation of the food supply These splendid natural should be made sustain happy resident population Otherwise the suggestions of Delegate Wckersham will appeal the Alaska public emneny proper and worthy of immediate attention