The Alaska daily empire., 1920-09-03
Tobogganing Fisheries.
(Ketchikan Chronicle.) )

(Ketchikan Chronicle)
 Some wholesome truths have been told to the fsll- cries Alaska during the past few days Dy Col E. Lester Jones' chief of the coast and geodetc survey and formerly head of the fisheries bureau who has been making tour of Southeastern Alaska. Colonel Jones sees the absolute elimination Of the fisheries of the Northwest fishing boats tied up and ndoned canneries closed and going to rot and all those depending upon the industry, directly or lndi- recfly in dire financial straits unless-unless steps are taken now to change the whole order or con ditions, laws and regulations.
 That he is incorrect in his surmise or prophecy nc man can say. That he is correct, for the most part at least every student of the fisheries will agree. And just sure as night follows day so VIII be wiped out that supply from whlch hetchlkah has grown afuent from which the Territory derives US chief of revenue and from which millions re- ceive important item of their food supply.
 Last year the warning was sounded Cannerles to the north and westward put up small packs. It was an off year" declared cannerymen, and they back this season, prepared to make up TOT ther deficit of last But, behold, they are settlhs even smaller pack than in 1919. Some of them at tempting fool themselves are trying to say 'hat it just so happens that there are two bad years In St ccession and that the harvest will come later
 Canneries that have put up from 5o,OO0 cases up wards in the past running very short thls year. one big cannery in fact reporting that It mas put 900 cases or approximately one-sixth it's usual cutput Surely the owners of that plant ought 10 begin to the handwriting on the wall They ought to be willing throw their entire energy into the struggle for the revival of the dying industry
 The fisheries Alaska dying. They nave reached their peak crossed the summit in 1918 ana now are on the toboggan gaining momentum as they go down hill. It requires little judgment ana htte consideration that plainly, and without peihs a pessimst.
 If anyone thinks 1919 and 1920 were but off years in the fisheries little investigation will change ms mind While Kechikan has not reached that stage where it is considering the matter seriously not Delns hard hit in the pocketbook as yet, the eaten here being phenomenonay good, it should gam by the @ sad experiences of some of US helshpors anu ohouiu investigate the rest of Alaska
 O streams the Pacific the Sacramento River. l. afforded delightful and profitable supply for several years, but it worked out in jig time. Up tue coast the march of industry came until the fisheries cf the Columbia River were wrecked and ruined Anu likewise the Frazer River. Alaska is rapidly reach ing the same stage, the only reason for the delay to date being the immensity of the Territory and the great number of streams.
 year ago the Chronicle asserted that greed stalking staring ptiless, inconsiderate greed was running the fisheries of the North. Greed ol, the part of the canneryman first, the trap man, ana the seiner is wiping out the industry and Will not only react on them but more particularly on those depending on salmon and yet not engaged dlfeety in fisheries. If the former will not of their own accord light of day and protect the proVerbiai that is laying the golden egg with great reSu larity becomes the duty of every Alaskan to lorce them it.
 In 1919, the dwndling of the fish became evident Efforts were put forth remedy conditions but they led nowhere. Conditions just the same thls sea sen. if all drift along the merry stream of greed and mconsderaeness, all will be over the ias uo"n the rapids seeking a solid rock on which to place oot life.
 As it has twenty years to resuscltate 10 d slight degree the fisheries of the Sacramento and nan that time for the output the Columbia, will IL aEe quarter of century to revive the annual run fish in northern waters.
 The solutions of the problem is, as stated by olone Jones' turn the fisheries to the Alaskan Development Board Give them full power act, with jppeal only the President and let Congress pass Uch legislation will protect the fisheries amply nder their administration. This must be done. and 5ithin the year. for the seasons go by in rapid succession. are the salmon extermnated until .treams which few years a living of ish peacefully vending their way to the undisturbed by mad rush of the silver horde to heir spawning grounds.
 The fisheries the toboggan. Alaskans save them if they will put aside small personal in- eress for the welfare of the whole country.