86 REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. 
with respect to introducing the Scotch method of curing herring, en- 
couraged it in renewing similar operations in the 1918 season. The 
results have proved the value of this undertaking, and there is every 
reason to believe that there will be a further gratifying increase in 
the production of herring and various more or less neglected fishes. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF SALMON CANNERIES ON YUKON RIVER. 
The proposed establishment in 1918 of a salmon cannery at An- 
dreafski on the Yukon River brought forth strong protest from 
many quarters. It was advanced that cannery operations on the 
Yukon would deplete the supply of salmon upon which the natives 
living along the river and its tributaries depended in a large degree 
for their subsistence. It was also claimed that the white popula- 
tion would suffer if this source of food should be restricted to the 
extent feared. The Yukon and its tributaries drain a large extent 
of inhabited territory, and while most rivers in Alaska are fished 
near their mouths only, the waters of the Yukon are the scene of 
fishery operations from Bering Sea to points in Canada many hun- 
dreds of miles from the sea. 
On account of the protests which were made, a hearing was held. 
at. Seattle on May 17, 1918, at which persons interested in the matter 
were given an opportunity to be heard. At the hearing it did not 
develop that there was any particular alarm in regard to the deple- 
tion that would be caused by the operation of a single cannery. The 
apprehension was that this particular cannery would be but one of 
many to be built, the aggregate result of which would be the deple- 
tion of the Yukon salmon supply. The Bureau has made arrange- 
ments to hold another hearing in regard to the matter at Seattle on 
November 20, 1918. Meanwhile, steps have been taken for a survey 
of the salmon resources of the Yukon and its tributaries and deter- 
mination of the extent to which salmon are utilized by natives and 
other residents of the region in question. A number of employees of ~ 
the Bureau have been detailed to make a special study of the situa- 
tion on the ground. All persons known to be interested in the 
matter have been supplied with schedules to be filled out by them 
and returned to the Bureau, which it is hoped will develop further 
information. The Bureau of Education is cooperating with the 
Bureau of Fisheries in the matter, and officials of the Department 
of Justice in Alaska are rendering assistance. 
PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERY OPERATIONS IN ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. 
In the fiscal year 1918 permits authorizing certain fishery opera- 
tions within the Aleutian Islands Reservation were issued as follows: 
1. Alaska Commercial Co., authorized to engage in the business 
of preserving cod and salmon for commercial purposes, erection of 
any cannery excepted. 
2. Umnak Livestock Co., authorized to engage in the business of 
preserving cod and salmon for commercial purposes, erection of any 
cannery excepted. 
3. Paul Buckley, authorized to engage in the business of taking 
and utilizing whales for commercial purposes, erection of any can- 
nery excepted. . 
