The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-04-29
FINNISH FISHERS
L0SEL|VEL|H0OD
BY OREGON LAW
Only Ku Kluxers Get
Salmon Fishing Rights
Rx la sYvANEN.


Columbia River is one of the largest
salmon-fisheries in the world, the an
nual catch amounting to thousands of
tons. The fishing season lasts from
May 1, to August %, and when the
season is good" it enables the fisher
man to pay off the debts that have
accrued during the winter months
and to lay by some for the next win
ter. Owing the Introduction Of dis
tructive fishing methods, the good sea-
sons became so scarce that for many
years the fisherman was unable to
pay his winters bills and often, at
the close Of a season he had not
enough to cover his expenses of the
summer.
So great was the destruction OF
young salmon by these new methods
that. altho millions of young fish were
released from the state hatcheries
each year, the whole fishing industry
was menaced This was prevented by
Legislation. The future looked bright
er to the fisherman.
The life of the fisherman is very
hazardous - each year Neptune"
claims many victims-but they have
enjoyed more independence than
workers in most other industries
They mostly own their means of pro-
duction" that is, the boat and net. But
each year their independence has
been more encroached upon.
Some, years ago a law was passed
forbidding all except American citi
zens to be boat owners or captains
as they are called. Citizenship how
ever was not necessary to the assis
tant or boat puller."
Fishing License for Americans Only
This year the law has restricted
American citizens only. That means
that no aliens are allowed to fish
The canneries have large numbers OF
fishermen and provide their fishing
equipment, and the new law prohibits
them from hireing aliens. The con
stitutionality of the law was tested in
1.-THE lower courts, but the case was ap
pealed to the State Supreme Court
The decision will not be returned I'm
til the latter part Of this month.
What does the passing of this Law
mean to the fishermen? Fully 80 pei
cent Of the fishermen are foreigners
and half of these are not naturalized
They came here years ago, but have
been too busy supporting large fam
lilies to acquire the knowledge of the
American language and instructions
required by the naturalization laws
They have built their homes here and
their children hold responsible posi-
tions, some being school teachers, law.
yers, and city and county officials
They have been the main support OF
the community, for fishing is the
chief industry of lower Columbia
This law deprives these men of their
only livelihood.
Closed Camps Add Hardships.
Then there are the less prosperous
ones, the boatpullers who only get
one-third of the seasons earnings
(while the captain" gets two-thirds
and dividends). and those who rent
their fishing outfit from the canneries
They own nothing and their wants
are provided for on credit-to be paid
at the close of the next season. They
had recourse to the logging camps
and saw-mills, but the closing of the
camps and the cut in wages, leaves
them little hope in that direction. IL
is these men that the new law mostly
affects.
What do laws like the above. com
ing simultaneously with the closing
of industries and wage reductions
and the fight for the open shop sys
tenn. mean to the working class
They increase the army of the unem
ployed, making it possible for the EN-
ployers to reduce the wages still fur
Their. and aiding them in their fight
against organized labor.
BY excluding the aliens. most OF
whom are members of the fishermens
union, from fishing, the law aids the
hiring Of non-union men.
Besides the fishing in the CoIumbia
River large fishing fleets, owned by
corporations are sent out from AS
toria, Portland. Seattle and San Fran
cisco to fish in the Alaskan waters
Taking advantage Of the unsettled
conditions prevailing, the corporations
have attempted to hire non-union
men. And altho the fishing season il
at hand, no agreement on wages has
been reached between the union.