The Wrangell sentinel., 1919-12-18
THE FISH PROBLEM
Given Serious Consideration by the Alaska Native Brotherhood - h. teresting Communication From Louis F. Paul.
Sitka, Alaska,


 My dear Mir. Pritchett:
 Much has been said in various Territorial newspapers by officials of the Territory, Bureau of Fish cries and cannery interests relative to the closing of all salmon streams not over five hundred feet in width. May We have little of your valu able space to tell the fishermen s story? Thank you!
 The Alaska Native Brotherhood, composed of progressive Indian Americans of Alaska, placed upon their program for their recent con- vention held in Sitka, the topic,
 Fisheries, Hatcheries and the Ma. tive"
 Other than the effect of closing all bays and streams, not within the required limits, would have on the livlihood of the Indian Ameri- can, this side of the topic was not touched. But the bigger issues were tackled with a vim.
 The Bureau of Fisheries in it's present policy of lax policing was heartily condemned. When the nm was on Tn Frederick Sound the patrol was every place else and so can the story be told in other sec tions. Some of the men were heartily praised for their efforts 10 support the laws while others were heartily condemned for being mere puppets in the hands of cannery interests. It was said some of the wardens being honest in their efforts to maintain the law are tied down by certain orders which they must observe, There are not enough men or boats to properly police this big district during the salmon season
 The present method of private owned hatcheries was condemned as being a subteriuge to evade tax atiop. Certain specific instances Were given showing that hatcheres Were used as fish supply for can neries when the run of salmon was slack. With all the money spent on hatcheries no defnite results, noticeable results, can be shown. In other words, as presently owned and operated they are a complete failure.
 The intensive methods of fishing by seiners was condemned. It was also shown that traps are work ing just as intensively, if not more during the season and in spite of statement to the contrary. they are doing more harm than seines. Traps are placed in illegal positions and allowed to fish, and all fish during the whole season. It was contend ed that SO long as the lead was down, even ii the gates were closed to spillers and heart, they were fishing, Then until all trap leads are lifted they are fishing illegally. It was shown that a trap might be in a legal position yet the tidal cur rents as we'll as river currents drive the fish right into the traps thereby doing as much harm as if they were set in creek beds.
 Constructive discussion ot the tOplC Cali6Q IOFS
 I. More Fish Wardens, men who will not be tied by large interests. More intense patrol.
 2. Government ownership of all fish hatcheries to be operated under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries.
 3. A law making it illegal to op- crate a ''ereek robbing" net or gear.
 4. A law providing for the con- hscation of any gear found illegally fishing, whether it is a seine or trap.
 5. A heavier penalty shall be paid by any interest using gear il- legally. The present penalty is not severe enough.
 6. A law compelling trap owners to lift the lead during the certain