Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1934-12-28

discriminatory law, in that It used
another. Also that it was strictly
a piece OF vicious class legisla-
ton and would result in the end
In giving the large packers a
strangle-hold on the industry.
The analysis also pointed out
the fact that this measure would
result In certain classes OF fish
ermen, as for example, gillnet-
tiers not being able to make
decent living under the provi-
sions of this bill.
Also it was fought ON the
grounds that possibilities exist
ed that this measure would not
eliminate the fish traps as 1t
purported, but that they would
continue to operate by various
legal steps being taken to smash
that section of the law.
Developments proving the cor
rectness of our analysis are now
at hand. Monday, Dec. IL, a COM
mittee of gillnetters met with
the Fish Commissioner for the
State of Washington to demand
regulation of the fishing season.
As it now stands the gillnet
season has been set back month
at the beginning of the Red Sal
mon season and extended Is
days at a time when there are no
fish.
Lengthen Closing Hours
The closing hours were length
ened from "a to go, in spite of the
fact that certain natural causes
enforce closing periods from time
to time; such as a full moon,
presence of phosphorus in the
water enabling the fish to see
the net, etc.
The commissioner informed the
committee that he was powerless
to do anything, as the law was
now in effect, but that they, the
gillnetters, could take recourse
to law by violating this, and
then appealing and laying the
cause before the Supreme Court,
testing its constitutionality.
We know, however, that the
gillnetters are not in a position
to raise the funds necessary for
the legal steps in such action, so
must rely on militant organiza-
tion and mass pressure to smash
the attempt of the packers, un-
der the guise of sportsmen, Fish
Conservation Leagues and other
chameleon DISCUSSES, to deny
men their inherent right to live
from the natural resources of
the country.
Held Meeting
When Initiative ~ was in the
formative period, a meeting was
held between Purse Seine skip
pers and the self-styled Sports
mems Association, to lay the
basis for the measure.
Emil Linden, of the FCWIU,
was asked by some of the purse
seiners to attend and take part
in the meeting, but he was voted
out by the sportsmen on the
ground that he previously when
speaking before the legislature
relative to certain fish legisla-
tion referred to the Sportsmen's
Association as being a false front
for the fish monopoly interests.
AS an aftermath of this meet
ing. Mr.. Mackovich, an official OF
the purse seiners, when confront
ed with the nature of the bill and
its vicious discriminatory pro
visions, admitted to Mr.. linden
and others that it was necessary
to sacrifice the gill-netters in Or
der to gain concessions.
Monopolists Attacking
Now what do we see? We See
the monopolists, having succeed
ed in Remembering the gill net
tiers, trollers, set net fishermen,
and various other types of gear
owned by the small individuals,
are again attacking.
Flushed with success, they are
now out to do some real sacrific-
ing, and who are they offering on
the Altar of Sacrifice now? None
other than the purse seiners.
This is being done through the
advancement of Initiative 5, bill
that will eliminate all commercial