The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31
REGULATION OF ALASKA SALMON
 DATES FROM 'S9
Historical iderations Outlined in Brief by
 Fisheries Chief }
By WARD T. BOWER


 By WARD T. BOWER
 Chef, Division of Alaska Fisheries
 Alaska was purchased from Rus sia in 1867. For the ensuing Il years there was only compara lively minor commercial use of salmon, the pro- duct being salted and smoked In 1878 canning operations began in a small way but, with the passing of another ten-year period, this busi- ness so expanded that protective measures were d ee m d essential This was particularly necessary in view of the extremely wasteful prac- tice, inherited from the time of Russian occupation, of constructing zapors or barricades across streams where salmon were endeavoring to ascend for spawning purposes. Gen. erally, there was complete indif- ference with regard to opening these Instructions after the commercial catch had been completed.
 AS a result, on March 2, 1889, about 21 years after Alaska was ac- quired, Congress passed the first law designed to protect the fisher ies. Under the terms of this en- actment it was declared unlawful to erect dams, barricades, or other Instructions in any of the rivers of Alaska which might impede the as- cent of salmon to their spawning grounds, and the Commissioner of Fisheries was directed "to institute an investigation int 0 the habits, abundance, and distribution of the salmon of Alaska, as well as the present condition and methods of the fishery, with view to recom- mending to Congress such addition al legislation as may be necessary to prevent the. impairment or ex- haustion of these valuable fisher ies, and placing them under regu- lar and permanent condition of pro- duction."
 Stuuy Began Early
 Pursuant to this act there was inaugurated in the summer of 1889 the first of series of comprehen- sive investig regarding the na- tural history of the salmon and the physical characteristics of their en- vironments; the methods, statis- tics, and condition of the fishery; and the necessities of artificial prop agation of salmon The objective was to determine the extent and causes of any injury that had been done and the remedy to apply, whether through fish culture or through fur ther legislation.
 Investigations and studies in the next ten years eliminated in the act of June g, 1896, which was distinct advance in the legislative program of protecting the salmon fisheries of Alaska, some features of which have, been continuously in effect to the present day The ear Hest investigators in this field were William H. Dall and Tarleton H. Bean, the noted ichthyologist. They were followed by Charles H. Town send, Alvin B. Alexander, David Starr Jordan, Barton w. Evermann, Charles H. Gilbert, and Frederick H. Chamberlain; also Zera L.. Tanner and Jefferson F. Moser, who suc- cessively commanded the deep-sea research vessel Albatross = all of whom contributed greatly to know ledge concerning the fisheries of Alaska.
 AS result of these investigations and other efforts, the next notable step in the protection of the fish cries of Alaska occurred ten years later upon approval of the alien act of June IA, 1906, and the general act of June 26, 1906, both of which with certain important amendments, still continue in effect.
 Commercial Development
 In the period between 1906 and 1924 there was great increase in commercial operations, and alarm was felt for the future of the sup ply of fish in Alaska. Various pills were introduced in Congress and extended hearings were held in the hope of securing remedial legisla- tion, but without avail. ,
 Thus. in an effort, to cope with