The Cordova daily times., 1920-12-20

through it's chairman, c. D. Garfield, has submitted it's annual report, for the year ending March 31, 1920, to Governor Riggs, which in part, with its recommendations, is as follows:
 In the brief discussion of any of the matters presented in this report it is not intended to treat them scien- tifically, but in general way and in a manner which it is hoped will be understood by the most casual read CT and the public generally. The fish species referred to will be designated by the common trade name.
 In the fisheries, Alaska finds it's greatest present resource. The devel- opment of the territory has pro- gressed in the same manner in which the Pacific states gained importance. The more easily exploited products, those which brought the greatest re- turn from the least efforts of labor and capital received earliest atten- tion. Furs, mining and fisheries were developed in the order named. but to- day, in value of production, the or der should be reversed.
 Of the fish prducts, it is known that salmon leads all the others. In the early development of the territory the salmon fisheries were especially at tractive, as was a steady demand and an established market for the pro- ducts, affording an occupation, cover ing but few mouths in the spring and summer, and, in earlier days, an easy catch with the fish practically coming to the cannery. Gradually the industry grew until canning and salt ing plants were covering the best known waters. Then came period when there was an unusual activity and much speculation ending in many financial failures and the inevitable depression. With the reconstruction of business many strong combinations were built up which stabilized the output and market and brought about a very profitable period. The com bined concerns are the one practically in control of the industry today. Of those controlling the industry none are residents of the territory, their peo- pie take little, if any. personal or col lective interest in territorial or civic affairs; there is no constructive, eco homie or social policy involved; they come in the spring with their boats, supplies and employees, diligently en- gage in the reaping of the harvest and when it is garnered, load it into the ships and depart with those who have assisted ill the cleaning, giving little thought to the elements which pre- pared for, seeded and nurtured the crop; they come and go, having reaped where they did not SOW, as though they had gathered farm crop without contributing to the prepara- tion and cultivation of the soil.
 It has been estimated that not over ten per centum of the value of the product, including the license tax thereon, is added to the annual wealth of the territory. True, there are places in Alaska where supplies and help cannot be obtained locally and so long as conditions remain as at the present, that situation will continue. In such places the pack of fish should be so regulated as to maintain an un- depleted supply, that local, hardy and capable population may be built up depending mainly upon the indus try for support. There are many dis tricts where the local population can be readily increased to sufficient pro portions for handling the pack in sea son and find employment in other fisheries or industries during the rest of the year. The greatest need of the territory today is a substantial in- crease in strong, vigorous, industrial workers and it's affairs should be so arranged as to attract such people to it's shores and provide for them livelihood. If the salmon industry is TARl SAOWING YEARLY OUAN