The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-11-25
DELEGATE SHOULD MAKE OUT CASE.

Deeqate Sutherland's method of opposing the pro-
posed fisheries reservation covering Alaska Peninsula
districts is that will hardly impress the Admin
istratcn. In effect he accuses Secretary Hoover of
wful blindness stupidity of conspiring with
financial interests grab the fisheries Of Alaska.
Il is that Mr. Sutherland did not actually utter
any direct charge against the Secretary in his state
ment at the Seattle fisheries hearing this week, but
the sum and substance of his remarks to that
effect
Press dispatches quote the Delegate saying
The reservation plan originates not with
the Bureau of Fisheries, but with the big
mcncpolists who control fishing loca-
items within the proposed reserves.
He also characterized it as move to parcel out
5000 miles of coast to big monopoliss denying
individual fishermen of Alaska their constitutional
right to free fisheries" The first intimaton Of the
intention to establish the Alaska Peninsula fisheries
reeve, which the subject of the hearing at
which the Delegate spoke, given in letter writ
several months ago by Mr.. Hoover to interested
parties on the Pacific Coast The Delegate was furn-
ished with copy of that letter and expressed his
views extensively the question in lengthy letter
to Secretary Hoover Beyond his own statement that
the plan is that of the cannery interests and not
OF the Secretary the Bureau of Fisheries the Dele
gate has introduced nothing to show that it came
from such source. Mr.. Sutherland has weighty
argument against the creation of any whether
they affect Fisheries any other resource. When
the control of any is vested in the Govern
ment the natural consequence is the establishment
OF monopoly That is true if applied to the forests,
coal, oil any other commodity. From standpoint
CT principle the creation OF any reserve is ndeensibe
But it is conceivable that circumstances might exist
which would make it expedient to violate the prin-
cipe in order to achieve necessary ends that
be accomplished in any other
The Delegate may be convinced that no such cir
cumstances exist in the fishing industry. He may
believe that there is nc necessity for restricting
merry operations. either in the number of canneries
permitted to operate or in the pack to be allowed.
He may hold that it is better sanction the esab-
1ishment of canneries in every suitable location
in Alaska and let them fish when and where and as
much as they desire than give the Depar tment of
Commerce the measure of control 1t seeks That is
the ultimate CT the state of free fisheries theory
which he .propouhds But how long would the fish
cries of Alaska survive under any such system?
Grant for the sake of argument that Mr. Suther-
land holds that extreme position. Concede him in the
right as to the system being monopostic
lie destroys much OF the force of his argument when
he nsnuaes that Secretary Hoover or for that mat
Ter the Bureau of Fisheries. out to the can
nerymen or is too dense to the alleged effects
o: the proposed system. The he could do would
be to credit the Secretary his subordnates with
honesty and sincere desire to protect the biggest
revenue producing industry that the Territory pos
sesses He must be ready to credit both Secretary
Hoover and Commissioner oMaey with an equal
amount of Intelligence that which he claims for
himself and reinforce his arguments with facts that
appeal to intelligent officials he hopes to be given
nearing To do less is to deprive him his right
TO consideration.
There are serious objections to the establishment
OF fisheries The arguments against creating
any reserve tand there many apply with full
force TO the fisheries 1t makes masters out of gov
ornamental agencies whose sole reason for existence
is mat they are servants of the people. 1t bestows
on them powers never intended they should have
Ana IN the case of the fisheries it does create lin
TIED monopoly. The Delegates position is supported
by many Alaskans whose opinions are entitled to
carry weight. If the Delegate thinks these reasons
outweigh the considerations mpelling the Secretary
10 ask for and President Harding in creating fisher
les receives II is his duty to present his case If
after he has presented it, the Department of Com
merce fails to agree with him. the least he could do
would be to credit ii with honest difference of
opinion.