FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1899. 505 
waters, near and in the Arctic Ocean, present few inducements for 
capital to engage in this old-time industry. 
In making the several investigations noted, a large amount of statis- 
tical and general information was kindly furnished by the officials of 
the several railroads, express companies, and steamer lines, as well as 
by canners, fish-dealers, and fishermen. In collecting statistics for 
California, Messrs. A. B. Alexander and E. A. Tulian, of the U.S. Fish 
Commission, rendered valuable assistance. 
The following table presents a comparison of the extent of the fish- 
eries of the Pacific States for the years 1888, 1892, 1895, and 1899: 
Comparative summary of persons employed, capital invested, and value of products of the 
Jisheries of Washington, Oregon, and California. 
















States. 1888. 1892. 1895. 1899. 
Persons employed: 
\ERGL in) /2] PO Sa Sa Sete esate reapers cosaeooceeees 38, 363 4,310 6, 212 9, 911 
OPE To nan OE Ee ne eee 3,619 4, 332 6, 323 5, 643 
(OSAUTITA ST, a OS SSB eeu nen SES oO aSE DOD rnODarenuoooae 4, 684 5, 403 4,770 3, 974 
URS T HI eR SSS aaa tac cl COGOr aa me oerage ate 11, 666 14, 045 17, 305 19, 528 
Capital invested: ; 
\ ADSL YEU oe en ee sae ooe costa c DCSUpnOeeEnAseS $1, 261,078 | $1,593,567 | $2,024,469 | $6, 601, 243 
CREO) 1 kh ook Sea e eo Sens seer ae Sor ea ae nopsSeupEaesor 1, 859, 299 2, 272, 351 2, 637, 412 3, 497, 643 
(COUTTS ee ene eee Eee cea aca Cesar Smee: oor 2,081, 950 2,526,746 | 2,612, 298 2, 774, 493 
PRG GED ees Sao ee cee meta cic se sos oe ems 5, 202, 327 6, 392, 664 7, 274,179 12, 873, 379 
Value of products: | 
ECL Si fen aS a eA Aceon aeue sopdause: sobe $810, .26 $931, 568 | $1,402,433 | $2,871,438 
rE OTe a ee cae etek ant ee 733, 867 872,405 | 1,284,136 855, 750 
ARAL MTR Se om co sea ssisinie ince = = nie sinlocee mateo 2, 465, 317 3, 022, 991 1, 786, 479 2,551, 451 
110149) Reka n cea ehededesboneaccersdesobcsuncnce 4,009,510 | 4,826, 964 | 4, 473, 048 6, 278, 639 





The above table is interesting as showing the increase during the 
past few years and the changes in the relative positions of the fisheries 
of the three States, so far as capital and products are concerned. 
Within the past ten years Washington has advanced from the lowest 
to the highest rank in capital and products. 
California has advanced in its general fish business, the decrease in 
persons employed resulting chiefly from the discontinuance of the seal 
fisheries, which at one time employed many men. California capital 
is also largely interested in the salmon fisheries of Alaska, which are 
not included in this report. 
The Oregon fisheries are almost exclusively confined to the salmon 
industry of the Columbia and the smaller coast rivers. On account of 
a decreased run of salmon the products have fallen off, although there 
is an increase in the amount of capital invested in canneries and cold- 
storage plants. 
The salmon fisheries were the first fisheries of the Pacific coast to 
be developed. At first comparatively unnoticed except by Indians and 
pioneers, who found in them a ready food supply, they later received 
the attention of capitalists, and more recently there has been a rush 
for favorable locations to establish salmon canneries, cold-storage 
