62 EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



among buyers of pelts a sentiment against the handling of unprime 

 skins, and to show the native hunters and tra])pers that their own 

 interests require the enforcement of such regulations as will maintain 

 the supply of fur-bearing animals. 



An arrangement has been made with the governor of Alaska 

 whereby the laws pertaining to both fur-bearing and game animals 

 will be more effectively enforced. Five of the Alaska game wardens 

 have been appointed special fur wardens for the Department and 

 given a nominal salary, and the five wardens of the Department have 

 been appointed special game wardens for Alaska, tlie special wardens 

 in each case being vested with all the authorit}^ possessed by the 

 regular wardens. 



FISHERY MATTERS IN CONGRESS. 



During the year various matters of importance t(^ the Bureau of 

 Fisheries and the fishing industry of the country v.ere under con- 

 sideration by Congress. 



Numerous bills providing for the establishment of new fish-hatching 

 stations in all parts of the country were introduced and considered 

 by appropriate committees. In the case of most of the bills the 

 Department, on request, gave to the committees an expression of 

 opinion as to their merits and the desirability of their passage. A 

 number of the measures were favorably reported and acted on by 

 one House, but none had been enacted into law by the end of the fiscal 

 year. The restrictions advocated by the Department and Bureau 

 in the establishment of fish hatcheries, the necessity for which has 

 been shown in previous j^ears, have been accepted by committees of 

 Congress and inserted in nearly every bill reported. 



The Senate Committee on Fisheries held protracted hearings on 

 a bill amending the present laws affecting the fisheries of Alaska and 

 the functions of the Department in connection with the protection 

 and administration of the industry. The bill has been prepared 

 because of the belief among the fishery interests, which is confirmed 

 by the experience of the Bureau, that the existing laws need revision 

 in order to meet present requirements and to provide more ade- 

 quately for future conditions. 



In a bill providing for a territorial form of government for Alaska 

 which was favorably considered by both Houses of Congress and 

 enacted into law-early in the fiscal year 1913, there was a provision 

 that the territorial legislature should have no authority to alter, 

 amend, modify, or repeal laws relative to fish, fur seals, and other 

 fur-bearing animals. 



The act of June 20, 1906, for the protection of the sponge fisheries 

 of the United States, having been found to be very difficult of enforce- 

 ment, a new bill covering this subject was mtroduced m the Senate 



