PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES. 125 



INSPECTION OF PLANTS PACKING CANNED SALMON. 



For some years there has been a desire on the part of a majority 

 of the salmon canners for some form of inspection of the plants 

 and of the pack made. The widespread suspicion that the salmon 

 pack of 1918 was considerably below standard, which suspicion 

 resulted in heavy monetary loss to the packers, gave a great 

 impetus to this desire. The National Canners' Association, an 

 organization composed of the majority of the canners of the United 

 States, a few years before, at the request of the sardine canners of 

 Maine, organized them into the sardine section of the association, 

 and by an assessment of a small sum per case raised sufficient funds to 



Erovi(5e an inspection service to see that the plants were put into and 

 ept in a satisfactory sanitary condition and also to inspect the goods 

 packed and, if they were up to the standards fixed in advance, to affix 

 to the cans suitable certificates attesting this. 



At its annual convention in 1019 the association decided to ex- 

 tend a similar service to any other section wdlling to assess itself 

 to pay the necessary expense. In explanation of its plan the asso- 

 ciation issued the following circular shortly after the convention 

 had adjourned: 



1. This porvice is installed by the National Canners' Association, with which a 

 direct contract is made by each canner. 



2. It runs for a term of three years and is applied in States or local territories where 

 similar conditions are to be met. 



3. The cost of the inspection is paid by the canners in the territory named through 

 an assessment which, in the past, has been collected by the can companies with 

 which each canner deals. This cost is added to the can invoice, and is remitted by 

 the can companies to the treasurer of the National Canners' Association each month. 



4. In order to meet the preliminary expenses of the inspection before the ref:ular 

 fund becomes available, each canner who signs a contract will pay into the treasury 

 of the National Canners' Association, within 30 days after signing the contract, an 

 assessment of one-half cent per case on his pack of 1918, on the commodities to be 

 inspected. Should the total sum raised during the season be greater than the expenses 

 of inspection during the season, a refund of all or a portion of the one-half cent per 

 case will be made after a small sum is reserved to maintain a consistent surplus. 



5. The treasurer of the National Canners' Association distributes this money to 

 the local sections where the money is to be spent. 



6. The National Canners' Association has no profit in this inspection — its only 

 ref|uirement being that each canner under inspection is a member of the association, 

 and pays the membership and general dues. 



7. A director or supervisor of inspection is appointed by the National Canners' 

 Association who in turn appoints his a.'!.«istant8. The salaries of the director or su- 

 pervisor and his assistants are fixed by the National Canners' Association which works 

 111 harmony with the judgment of the advisory board. The director or supervisor 

 must be a man of superior ability, preferably one with scientific training. He must 

 also be a good executive. 



H. The director or super\isor acts in conjunction ^vith the ad\'i8ory board which 

 may consist of five, seven, or nine members. This advisory board is elected by the 

 canners in the States or Territories covered. The duties of this hoard are what its 

 name implies, "advisors." In point of actual experience, it is found this advisory 

 board is able to settle all practical disputes and misunderstandings which may arise 

 under this method of inspection. There is always a final appeal to the executive 

 committee of the National Canners' Association. 



9. The National Canners' Association does not promise or guarantee to issue cer- 

 tificates of inspection, but in territories where inspection has existed, the certificates 

 have been issued on products which merit the same. It should be distinctly under- 

 stood, however, that this does not form any part of the contract. 



10. The cost in territories where inspection lias been applied has been one and 

 one-quarter to two cents per case. It is impossible to advise in advance definitely 

 what the fost will be, as tne local conditions differ. It should be borne in mind that 

 there must always be a suflicient number of inspectors to protect the inspection, and 



