The daily progressive-miner., 1916-09-04
PROGRESSIVE TALK
 ON IMPROVEMENT |
(By Forest J. Hunt)


 We all like to prosper individually but this town. and locality, is not fa- nous for unity of action in the pro motion of public enterprises We need government building for the numerous government officers now quartered in rented apartments. and some there are who blame Delegate Wickersham for failure to secure this and other favors for us when, as a matter of fact, such requests as have gone forward from this community, have been but half-hearted and feeble, without the support of the most sub stantial business interests of the town, or of those who desire rental revenues from this source; but it is not of this that I would direct special attention at this time.
 There has been much agitation for several years. over measures for the protection of our fisheries, especially the salmon, in which the canning in terests have continua9iy played a game of hide-and-seek. in more ways than one but present conditions art convincing them that effective meas lres of protection must be adopteH or they will. soon. have no salmon te can Salmon are not getting up the spawning streams and it does not take wise man to realize that the end is near. if present methods are con tinued. Present high prices of the product has fostered greatly incrc
 ed numbers and capacities in canner ies. with an increased number of fish traps to each cannery, blocking ever! channel or salmon course to the spawning grounds, and running with out restraint for. at least, six days o every week during the salmon season which is just as effectuauy destroy ing the salmon industry in Alaska at did the same agent-Greed-des the seal herds. The canning interest have it within their power to regulat, the industry so as to perpetuate it i they would organize for that purpose but they still appear to cling to tht idea that the Goose will continue tC supply golden eggs after having beer killed Ketchikan Creek has. appar ently. been ruined as a spawning stream, and it was not done by sein ing There is increased interest il the establishing of more governmen hatcheries in this locality. particular Y, for hatching Pinks. As the hatch ] cries have been conducted it is doubt ful if they have been, in the least beneficial, turning out millions of fr1 i so young as to be wholly at the mere, of all enemies, but it is claimed b, those Of experience that if cared 10
 until they are strong and sprightly. i great percentage of those liberate, ] will live. Whatever virtue there is il hatcheries should be determined D, ] the government, all hatcheries bein, ] government owned and operated. an, here is an opportunity for the peopl ] of Ketehikan to get together and worl 1 Ito secure the location and building o ] a government hatchery on the Ward i Cove creek. which I am informed i
 ideal for the purpose. There is. al ] ready, petition in circulation for ez
 tending the Charcoal Point road t
 Wards Cove, which all should sign
 and with the construction of hatch
 cry another interesting attraction
 would be added to make the roa,
 popular, and would ensure settlemen and waterfront improvements the en
 tire distance between Ketchikan an, that point besides affording an in l teresting drive htat is sure to be wei i patronized. l can conceive of no req 1 son why all should not be intereste, in urging these improvements. Her ] is an opportunity for our canner, friends to join with the business mel and citizens in securing improvement beneficial to our entire community. -