6 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
merce to arrange salaries, within reasonable limits, with reference to 
the efficiency of employees rather than to the titles of positions. The 
entire subject of salary readjustment has been thoroughly studied in 
connection with the reclassification of Government employees, and a 
comprehensive and adequate salary schedule has been worked out by 
various competent agencies. It is hoped that all the time and 
thought devoted to the rectification of a chronic defect in the civil 
service may not terminate in mere discussion. 
STUDIES OF FISHES. 
General investigation of the hfe history of the chinook salmon, 
special studies of the salmons of Alaska, and an inquiry into the in- 
jurious practice of taking immature salmon by trolling and seining 
off the mouths of Pacific rivers have been continued. It has been 
determined in the last-named investigation that in the early part 
of the season nearly three-fourths of the salmon taken are immature, 
although later these fish constitute only a small proportion of the 
total catch. Relatively few immature salmon are taken at the mouth 
of the Columbia River, but a very considerable percentage of the 
chinook salmon obtained by trolling in Monterey Bay are not pros- 
pective spawners of the year. The facts ascertained obviously call 
for appropriate regulatory measures, for the killing of immature 
salmon is both economically and biologically wasteful. In the 
evident belief that the matter can not be fully handled by the several 
States, the United States Senate has passed a resolution requesting 
the President to negotiate such treaty or treaties as may be needed 
to secure to the salmon of the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of the 
United States and Canada protection from unnecessary destruction 
through wasteful practices, devices, and methods of capture. Dur- 
ing the 1920 season there were taken on their return to the Columbia 
River a number of salmon that had been marked at the time of their 
planting several years previously. Although the number of marked 
fish recovered was limited, their study has afforded a basis for in- 
ferences on both the natural history of the salmon and the value of 
fish-cultural practices. 
The study of the whitefishes and their relatives of the Great Lakes. 
which had previously been conducted on Lake Huron, was extended 
to Lakes Michigan and Ontario, and substantial progress was made. 
As soon as the necessary field work in other lakes can be completed a 
report of the results will be given out. The investigation takes ac- 
count of species, distribution, places and seasons of propagation, 
life histories, and food. The results are expected to afford a proper 
basis for regulatory measures and guidance in artificial propagation 
and may therefore be a means of bringing about a restoration of the 
former abundance of these important fishes. 
Considerable attention has been devoted to the food and distribu- 
tion of fishes in interior lakes, the inquiries being intended not only 
to afford guidance in regard to the stocking of waters, but also to 
reveal the character of shores and border waters which should be 
preserved or maintained in order to promote the productiveness of 
lakes in food supply. It has not been possible to give the river sys- 
tems the study which is evidently required if the continual decline 
