The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-10-28
0'MALLEY WILL ALLOW FISHING
 IN THE N0RTH \
New Regulations Will Per- init Limited Fishing
 Outside Yukon

days ago Delegate Wlckersham had conference with Henry OMallay Commissioner of Fisheries, on the proposed regulation that would per- mt limited commercial fishing in waters outside of the Yukon River. The Delegate submitted many let ters and petitions that he had re- ceived on the subject from resi- dents of Alaska in the area affected. At the conclusion of the discussion the Commissioner expressed the op- inion that he would recommend to the Secretary of Commerce that the regulation be made, effective January l, 1882, and if it should ievelcp that after the first season that it was proving harmful to the residents Of the Yukon river the , regulation would be revoked. Later other petitions were received, which did not tend to change the Com missioner's view point. and which brought forth a letter under date Of Ocs. $, in which, among other things Commissioners OMallcy said :: T feel that t..S many petitions addressed to you indicate clearly preponderance of sent,i m n | among residents of the Yukon region favorable to limited com me-cial fishing in waters outside the Yukon. The petition from Ruby advocates that the Yukon river be opened to commercial fishing rom its mouth to the Canadian boundary and that limit be plac- ed on the axportable pack of any person, corporation or association In this connection, let me say, the White law of June 6, 1924, does not give the Secretary of Commerce authority to open the Yukon river to commercial fishing for export purposes It is only waters 500 yards outside each mouth of the Yukon that can be opened fol such commercial activities.
 "In the petitions on the letter heads marked 'Nenana' it is asked that the Government prohibit the establishment of a cannery or can- neries at or within the mouth of the Yukon. It is obvious that those responsible for the signing of these petitions have been laboring under misapprehension that salmon canrery or canneries would be established in the Yukon delta region. In this connection I want to say that nothing of the sort has been contemplated or is like ly to occur by reason of the prop osed new regulation.
 The exceedingly limited amount Of commercial fishing in waters outside the Yukon, which would be allowed, would not justify the establishment of any salmon can-
 iery. The cost of bringing a can nery into this region would bc prohsbitive.
 The total catch of 50,000 king salmon would De divided among all persons engaged in commercial fishing in these waters.
 i The or,y In,r,s contemplated by l the proposed new regulation is that mildcuring or salting operations will be conducted by local residents of the lower Yukon region. The work would be done by the local 1 residents, who are in an impov- erished condition and need ccono- mic relief. There would be no in- Aux of outsiders from the states lin connection with any such acti- vitieS.
 May reaffirnl my statement to you to the effect that if after one seasons trial the new regu- latiOn proves detrimental it will be rescinded. Under no circum- stances do we want to work a hardship on any of the people of Alaska; it is our earnest purpose Ito be of assistance whenever possi- ble. I feel that real benefits can be made available to the residents of the Yukon delta section by the proposed new regulation for very limited commercial fishing in waters outside the Yukon; this can be done without detriment to the runs of salmon or to any person in the Territory of Alaska"