Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-09-28
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.

The closing hours of congress were enivened by tilt
north Pacific fisheries in which it was alleged that
the Canadian government maintained lobby at Washlng
ton to influence legislation The allegation was made by
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon who appeared to speak
for H. c. Strong and others, of Ketchkan Alaska Sena-
tor Chamberlain endeavored to attach as rider to the
bill amendment to prohibit the entrance into
the United States from Canada OF fresh or frozen habut
or salmon caught in the Pacific except when such
shipments pass in bond out OF an American port Reduced
simplest terms the dispute centers the rival COM
mercal ambitions of the American port OF ketchkan and
the Canadian port of Prince Rupert The latter has had
the benefit of special aid from the Canadian government
The result that the habut and salmon fisheries of the
north Pacific it is said, rapidly coming under Canad
ian control Once doomed by the Dominion government
Prince Rupert has attracted American independent fish
cries partly through the force of monopoly in certain
waters and partly through marketing facilities
1t seems that the Chamberlain rider got into the bill
in the senate 1t promoted quietly by group OF
western members and the country heard little of it until
the bill went to conference. Then the amendment was
left out This caused Mr.. Chamberlain to make bitter
attack socaed Canadian influences II am speaking
by the book he declared ''when say that this con-
summated by the demand of the Canadian government
Talk about lobby! lobby of Canadian government Of
fcals has been besegng the officials OF our government
discourage this legislation IF the provision does not
become effective now added the SENATOR cit never will
because Canada will get complete control of the fishing
industry off the Alaska banks The lobby charge has
been specifically denied at Ottawa but Senator Chamber
ains denncation had the effect OF mpeng the senate
to direct the lobby committee to make an investigation
The committee is to report to the December session.
There does not seem to be anything to be greatly
alarmed over The Canadian government did send to
Washington Sir Joseph Pope undersecretary of external
affairs, and Mr. Found the Dominion fisheries superin-
endent who, together with members of the British
bassy conferred with state department officials The
Canadian through Sir Joseph Pope present
ed memorandum framed in courteous language asking
that legislation be held up pending opportu
nifty for a full examination of the points involved The
invitation is to settle the dispute through friendly
plantations, and it is understood that the American gov
eminent is not unwilling to proceed In this manner. In
deed there every to urge arbitration notwith
standing Senator Chamberlain fear that shall get
the worst Of it, Other fisheries disputes between Can
ada and this country have been successfully submitted
arbitration and there need not be failure in the present
case Possibly it is just WELL however that the subject
has been spectacuarly introduced American fishing
interests off the Alaskan banks should be safeguaded and
fostered