The Alaska daily empire., 1920-11-29

ALASKA RIVERS MAY BE CLOSED
 TO ALL FISHING
Commercial Fishing in Yukon And Copper Rivers May
 Be Closed, by Bureau.

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 The closing of two of Alaskas largest rivers to all kinds of com mercial fishing may follow the Fish cries hearings which were recently in progress in Seat tie, according to advices received in Juneau. These streams are the Yukon River and the Copper River
 That commercial fishing be stop ped on tho Yukon River is the rec cmm c1idation of Henry O'Ma1ly of the Bureau of Fisheries and Dr Charles H. Gilbert of Leland Stan ford Junior University, who made m exhaustive study of Yukon con- ditions during the l:st year. If this recommendation should be approved and carried into effect it will mean the closing of the Carlisle Packing Company cannery at Andreafsky, on the lower Yukon River, which has operated for the last two years.
 Complaint was made by natives and others along the Yukon River that commercial fishing at the mouth of the river had been so de- structiye of salmon that those on the upper river and it's tributaries had not been able to get enough salmon to supply their needs for food for themselves and for their dogs which are used extensively in transportation. 4i'
 This is information brought to Juneau by Mayor A. Judson Adams of Cordova, member of the Terri -orial Fish Commission, who has been attending the fisheries hear ings in Seattle. MT Adams was on the Alameda which was in Juneau yesterday evening on her way to the Westward.
 No Objections to Traps.
 The testimony given at the near ings conducted by Col. Edward Schulz of the War Department to inquire into the effect of fish traps on navigation all tended to show that they were not dangerous, and, in fact, if they have any effect 1t is beneficial MT. Adams said all the testimony was one way. There was none at all that the traps are dan- gerous. ait-
 Position Stated Clearly. "s'
 There is also strong probability that the Copper River will be closed to commercial fishing for a definite ,criod, in the opinion of Secretary Charles Az Garfield, of tho Terri torial Fish Commission, who with MT. Adams represented the Terri .ory's interests at the hearings.
 The, Copper River hearing. which opened in Seattle on the morning Of November 18,l is reported to have been interesting from every view point The showing made by the Abercrombie Canyon people was tbout the same as was made in the earlier hearing at Cordoya. a''at
 The position taken by Messrs. Garfield and Adams on the part of he Fish Commission is:
 That the salmon fisheries in the Copper River system arc in danger of serious depletion and probable de- 5tTQCtlOH, OWlHS lO Iue dIueHt COu- .entions of certain canncry interests or the product; s,
 That in this strenuous process Ill other interests are lost sight of, md that, if allowed to continue to it's ultimate determination, will end in disaster to all parties concerned, IS these hearings have disclosed
 Therefore, we believe as the representatives as stated, that the controlling authority under the law of 1916 should be put into effect md v enforce such regulations re- garding this stream as will in its judgment, after taking into careful consideration all the eyiednce before 1t. provide a sufficient escapement of salmon for natural propagation 10 maintain normal supply of fish for commercial purposes, at least 200,00 for the natives and a safe return of the species;
 That the salmon runs be care fully watched and determined each successive year and the escapement be adjusted from time to time as to fulfill these requirements"