FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 21 



was imposed against each. Hendi'ickson, a local fisherman, also 

 pleaded guilty and was fined $100. Wiseman, a prospector in 

 Alaska who sometimes earned a grubstake by fishing, demanded a 

 trial by jury. The case against him was dropped, as it would have 

 been difficult to have found 12 men in that section who could qualify 

 as jurors. This is the second time that any prosecutions have been 

 made in the Bristol Bay district. The first occm-red in 1914. 



FISH PIRACY. 



In the fishing season of 1919 southeast Alaska was the scene 

 of an attempt by a lawless element to carry on salmon-trap piracy. 

 Some traps were raided and robbed during the absence of the watch- 

 men, or through their intimidation, but these depredations were 

 mainly unsuccessful, though one company reported the loss of 60,000 

 salmon from this cause. The situation was sufficiently serious to 

 occasion the operators no little concern and also to engage the active 

 attention of the law-enforcement agencies in the Territory. Vessels 

 of the Navy, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Forest Service, and Bm-eau 

 of Fisheries were authorized by the several departments represented 

 to take summary action in dealing with the evil. The governor of 

 Alaska and the Department of Justice, tlirough the United States 

 marehal and liis deputies, took a large part in the suppression and 

 punishment of this lawlessness. Some prosecutions were made and 

 convictions secured, but piracy was brought to an end chiefly by an 

 organized patrol under Federal and Territorial authorization and the 

 cooperation of several packing companies. 



It would seem that the companies operating traps might evolve a 

 plan of self-protection to prevent a recurrence of this disorder, for 

 the theory is fundamentaUy correct that if the salmon obtained 

 through piracy can not be sold or disposed of at a profit, the raichng 

 and robbing of traps will cease. 



TERRITORIAL LEGISLATION. 



By an act approved May 1, 1919, the Legislature of the Territory 

 of Alaska amended sections 1 and 2 of the Territorial revenue act of 

 May 3, 1917. chapter 74, Laws of Alaska, 1917. The changes include 

 the imposition of a tax on the 'output of clam canneries, herring 

 canneries, and whale-oil plants; an increase of 1 cent a case on all 

 species of salmon canned and in addition a tax on the net income of 

 salmon canneries; and increased rates on various salted products. 

 The act as it applies to fisheries is as follows : 



Section 1. That any person, firm, or corporation prosecuting, or attempting to 

 prosecute, any of the foUo^nang lines of business in the Territory of Alaska shall apply 

 for and obtain a license, and pay for said license, for the respective lines of business, 

 as follows: 



6th: Fisheries: 



(a) Clam canneries: Two cents per case: 



(b) Herring canneries: Two cents per case; 



(c) Salmon canneries: Five and one-half cents per case, on Kings and Reds or 

 Sockeyes: three and one-half cents per case on Medium Reds; and three cents per 

 case on all others. 



In addition to the above tax, salmon canneries shall pay one per cent of their net 

 annual income. By "net" income is meant cash value of the pack oi the cannery, 

 less operating expenses, and repairs and betterments actually made. No deduction 



