The Alaska daily empire., 1921-03-23
FIGHT TO SECURE ALASKA FISHERIES CONTROL OPENED
Senate Measure Placing All Fishing in Hands of Alas
 kan Board Introduced.
BRITT SPONSORS BILL
Legislative Action to Avert Threatened Extinction of
 Great Industry Asked.

The initial step in Alaskas first attempt to secure control of its fish cries was taken in the Territorial Legislature this morning when Sen- ate Concurrent Resolution No 2, carrying with it bill governing all tiChing within the Territorial wat CTS. was introduced by Senator William Britt, of this city. MT. Britt is chairman of the Senate Committee on Fisheries, Game and Agriculture, to which the resolution together with the bill was referred by President Sundback.
 Legislators will not be simply regard for the contents of the bill." declared MT. Britt, in speaking of the movement to secure Territorial control of fisheries. We state in the resolution that we consider the bill will meet all the requirements of the situation and Is equitable to all 1 believe in the main the bill in its present shape does all that is claimed for itYbut l want every member of both houses to study the proposed measure and If in the judgment of the majority there are changes which itfis deemed advisable to make, they will be in corporated in the bill before 1t leaves our hands and is forwarded 10 the Congress of the United States with the request that it be enacted into law"
 Creates Commission.
 Section l, of the proposed meas urc, provides for the creation of commission to be known as the Alaska Fish Commission" which is clothed with almost absolute power to handle the situation, being given authority to administer all regula" tions, to enforce stated closed sea sons in the several |. sections into which the fishing districts are di- vided by the, bill and to alter closed ocasons to fit conditions. The mem berss of the commission are to be ap- pointed by the Governor of the Ter ritory by and, with the advice and consent of the Senate Of Alaska and must all be- residents of the Terri tory. All of the commissioners must have d thorough Knowledge of the fisheries of the Territory and the experience necessary to enable them 70 administer the provisions of the act. The first appointments to the commission are to be tive, three and four years terms and thereafter all appointments to be for four years, provision being made. however, for removal of any member by the Gov ernor for cause Commissioners sal ories are fixed at S6, 900 per year with their tcual and necessary travelling expenses to be paid out of the Alaskc Fisheries Fund for which the act provides.
 Duties of Commission
 Section provides: That the commission Is hereby granted full power and authority. and it shall be it's duty. to enforce the provisions of this act and all other laws, rules and regulations and orders respect ing the catching. killing and utili- zation. and the protection, preseFVa- ton and propagation of fish. she'll fish and aquatic mammals, and 1t is hereby authorized to make and establish such rules and regulations. not inconsistent with law,f as amay be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act This shall include full power and authority to dx the amount of license fees from year to year and 70 fix the time when the taking of several classes or. and all food fishes is pro- hibited."
 It also fixes five months prior to the annual fishing season as the length of time in which the rules. regulations and ol ders of the Com mission shall be promulgated. all such rules. etc., being subject to ap- peal 10 the Governor within 50 days