46 PACIFIC COD FISHERIES. 
nothing to do with dressing the fish, this being done by one or two 
dress gangs (the number depending upon the size of the vessel), the 
members of which are paid monthly wages, which begin the moment 
they are signed on and ceases when the vessel returns to her home 
port. The fishermen are paid a certain sum (this varying with each 
man’s known ability as a fisherman) per thousand fish. This price 
varies from $25 to $45 per thousand. Fish 28 inches and more in 
length are count fish; all under 28 inches in length count two for one. 
All fish must be bled by having their throats cut as soon as caught. 
Under this arrangement the fishermen devote their entire working 
time to fishing, returning to the vessel only when a dory load has 
been obtained. In this way some of the fishermen will catch several 
hundred fish a day when good weather prevails. As hand lining is 
almost universally employed but one man goes in a dory. 
A dress gang is composed of a splitter, header, throater, salter, 
a man to remove the black skin, and from one to three others, called 
“idlers,” who pew the fish as may be needed. When two gangs are 
operating some of the idlers do double duty and thus reduce the 
total number in the dress gangs. All members of the dress gang, and 
the cook, are encouraged to fish over the rail of the vessel, when not 
otherwise engaged, and for all fish so caught are paid the same sum 
per thousand as the majority of the fishermen receive. 
The owners of the vessels furnish all provisions, fishing gear, boats, 
and the bait taken along from the home port, the members of the 
crew not being required to furnish anything other than their cloth- 
ing and bedding. 
The captains of Puget Sound. cod vessels receive as their lay from 
$3 to $3.75 (about $3.50 being the average) per ton for the fish 
brought home. On the San Francisco vessels the captains are gen- 
erally engaged by the year and are paid a salary of about $150 per 
month. 
The following represent the average monthly union wages paid 
the various members of the dress gangs: First salter, $90; second 
salter, $75; head splitter, $100; second splitter, $85; header, $35; 
throater, $35; idlers, $30; salt passer, $30; cook, $100; and cook’s 
helper, $30. This scale of wages was fixed by the fishermen’s union 
early in 1916 and is now in force. 
The great increase which has occurred of recent years in the re- 
turns received by the more important members of the crew is well 
exemplified when it is stated that in 1895 fishermen received $25 
per thousand fish; one salter, $65 per month; one splitter, $60; one 
cook, $55; four men to throat, head, and do the other dress work, 
$25 each per month. 
The following table shows the gross returns received by the two 
high-line fishermen of the principal vessels of the fleet, also the total 
