PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES 499 



In many places on the coast, particularly in Alaska, fishing is a 

 hazardous occupation. In Alaska most of it is done in the bays, 

 sounds, and straits, where storms are frequent, and the annual loss 

 of lile is heavy. The records of the Alaska Fishermen's Union show 

 for its members the following losses of Ufe by drowning: 1905, 10 

 men; 1906, 5 men; 1907, 10 men; 1908, 17 men; and 1909, 17 men. 



The fishermen early saw the advantages of organization, and nearly 

 every river now has a union which is subordinate to the general 

 organization. One of the most typical of these is the Alaska Fisher- 

 men's Union, which has active jurisdiction over all sections of Alaska 

 except a portion of southeast Alaska. This organization enters into 

 contracts with the salmon canneries and salteries, by which the rates 

 of wages, duties, etc., of the fishermen are fixed in advance for a 

 certain period — three years — up until 1918, when an agreement was 

 made for only one year. The same was true in 1919. At present 

 agreements are for 3-year periods. As a result of this mutual agreement 

 upon terms but little trouble is experienced with the fishermen, who 

 generally conform scrupulously to the terms of the contract, and 

 strikes and bickerings, which were very common some years ago, are 

 now almost entirely absent. 



CANNERY LABOR 



NATIONALITIES 



In the early days canning was a haphazard business and workmen 

 came and went as common laborers do in the wheat fields of the West. 

 As the business increased in importance and the need of skilled labor 

 became imperative, men were put to certain work and kept at it from 

 season to season, with the result that in a few years a corps of highly 

 skilled workers had been evolved, and this had much to do with the 

 rapid extension of the industry. 



For many years Chinese formed the greater part of the cannery 

 employees, the superintendent, foreman, clerks, machinists, and 

 watchmen alone being white. No other laborers have ever been 

 found to do the work as well or with as httle trouble as the Chinese. 

 In times of heavy runs, when the cannery would have to operate almost 

 day and night in order to take advantage of what might be the last 

 run for the season of the sometimes erratic salmon, the Chinese were 

 always willing, even eager, to do their utmost to fill the cans, and, if 

 fed with the especial food they insisted upon having and due regard 

 was had to certain racial susceptibilities, the cannery man could 

 almost invariably depend upon the Chinese doing their utmost. 



The Chinese-exclusion law cut off the supply of Chinese, and as the 

 years went by and their ranks became decimated by death, disease, 

 and the return of many to China, the contractors were compelled to 

 fill up the rapidly depleting crews with Japanese, Filipinos, Mexicans, 

 Porto Ricans, etc., with the result that to-day in many canneries 

 special quarters have to be provided for certain of the races — more 

 particularly the Chinese and Japanese — in order to prevent racial 

 hatred from engendering brawls and disturbances. 



In Alaska and at a few places in the States Indians are employed 

 in the canneries. In Alaska more would be employed if they could be 

 secured. They make fair work people, but are rather unrehable about 

 remaining through the season. 



