The Wrangell sentinel., 1925-11-12
Dan Sutherland Makes Speech
 In Wrangell
DISCUSSES THE FISHERIES SIT LAYTON AT LENGTH AND DENOUNCES THE DEPART
 MENT OF COMMERCE

from Petersburg Monday afternoon. On Tuesday night he spoke at the Starland. It was free show with a political speech in connection. The house was packed. In addition to representative white audience the attendance of Natives was larger than is usually seen at a political speaking in Wrangell.
 The Delegate spoke for more than an hour. In his opening remarks MT. Sutherland stated that at the last session of Congress twentytwo measures directly affecting Alaska were passed of which eight were authorizations for surveys of riv- CTS and harbors.
 He considered the game and fish bills the most important legislation enacted, and expressed the belief that the White bill is as good measure as could be passed. It is identical with he British Columbia laws. and with those of a number of the States. as well as other fishing countries. He declared that any criticism of the operation of the White Bill should be directed against the administrative powers and not the law itself
 Regarding the proposed spacing of traps one and one-half miles apart, MT. Sutherland said that the law provides specifically that there shall be a space of only 600 yards between traps. He advised those who might be injured by the pro- posed regulations to take their case into court and learn whether the law of Congress or the Commission CT of Fisheries is supreme. In his opinion the spacing and driving out of recently driven traps would con- stitute the establishment of exclu sive or several fishery rights which is forbidden by the White Act. In- dependent fishermen, he said. should unite in protest against regula- tons which place the entire burden of conservation on the portable gear operators and do not attempt to re- duce the efficiency of the large fixed appliances.
 Mir. Sutherland is opposed to any attempt to place an embargo on halibut landed by American fishing vessels at Canadian port. He quoted sttistics that had been pre- sented to the tariff board at the recent hearing at Seattle by repre-
 
 of Ketchikan which showed the un- usual prosperity that has come to Ketchikan during the four years in effect and the fishermen selling their fares in the open competitive market at Prince Rupert. During | mess in Ketchikan as indicated by bank deposits, etc, was approxi- mately 100 per cent The effort to close the port of Prince Rupert he characterized as supreme sell | fishness on the part of few busi- ness men of Ketchikan.
 The Indians, he held, are the only organized element in Alaska that fights for human rights in the fish, | cries. He believed the whites should join with the Indians to prevent in- dependent fishermen of all races becoming peoniZed by the cannery interests. Congressman Free of Cal | ifornia said that he "could see nothing for the poor man in Alaska but to work for the corporations and the Department of Commerce is .usiduousiy working to briry that condition about declared MT. Suth- erland. 'The Indians in their or ganizeG effort to resist discrimina. tory fishing regulations are berine inc whi.e ma o's hurien fo a cart q n