414 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



which is immovable and of no value otherwise, can not afford to fish streams or the 

 waters of Alaska in a way to the depletion of the fish; and also that they be not 

 asked to catch fish in so expensive a manner that they who are not producers of over 

 one-third the quantity of salmon which is canned shall have to do so at an expense 

 which precludes their competition with other localities, especially British Columbia, 

 as the fish from that river are superior to a certain extent and will always demand a 

 somewhat increased price, and therefore would comparatively shut out the United 

 States product if an increased cost of catching is demanded. 



Another point which the canners of Alaska come into competition are the waters 

 of both Oregon and Washington, in both of which the use of traps and pound nets 

 are allowed. 



Hoping you will consider our suggestions in the tenor in which they are intended, 

 we remain, 



Yours, truly, W. B. BRADFORD, Secretary. 



Col. Jos. MURRAY, 



Fish Commissioner of Alaska, 1321 N street NW., Washington, D. C. 



SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., February 12, 1895. 



DEAR SIR: Your letter (and inclosures) of February 1 caineduly to hand and have 

 particularly noted its contents, and in reply would say : 



The act of 1889, would, if carried out, result in what we have no doubt the Gov- 

 ernment has in view, viz : The preservation of the salmon in Alaskan waters, and give 

 to each and all of her citizens equal chance and right to take salmon. 



The bill of two sections, to provide for the protection of salmon fisheries in 

 Alaska, is, in our opinion, an equitable and just measure, and should become a law, 

 inasmuch as the salmon industry pays no tax and needs protection for which it 

 ought to pay, and we have grave cloubst in our mind if any can be found to oppose 

 such a measure who wish equal and just protection. 



The draft of the other bill, with all due deference to you, we herewith return, with 

 erasures that we think ought to be made. 



Section 4, we would suggest, instead of inspectors, that you provide for policing 

 the rivers by United States vessels, and information that may be laid by responsible 

 parties, and on proof of violation of the law give half of fine to the informer. By 

 such a method we think the law could be enforced. 



Hoping that the Government will accept our suggestions in the spirit in which 

 they are written, we remain, 



Yours, very respectfully, ALASKA IMPROVEMENT Co., 



By JAMES EVA, President. 

 By JAMES MADISON, Secretary. 

 Hon. Jos. MURRAY, 



Special Agent of the Fisheries in AlasJca. 



WASHINGTON, D. C., February 14, 1895. 



DEAR COLONEL: In compliance with your request for my views as to wherein the 

 proposed act, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide for the 

 protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska/" is injurious to the salmon fishing 

 industry, I have the honor to submit the following: 



Section 1 of the proposed act provides, among other things, that it is unlawful to 

 "erect dams, barricades, fish-wheels, fences, traps, pound nets, or any fixed or sta- 

 tionary obstructions in any part of the rivers or streams of Alaska, or to fish for or 

 catch salmon or salmon trout in any manner or by any means with the purpose or 

 result of preventing or impeding the ascent of salmon or salmon trout to their 

 spawning ground within 100 yards of the mouth of such rivers or streams," etc. 



As manager for the Alaska Improvement Company my duties compel niy attendance 

 at the fishing grounds during the entire fishing season, and by virtue of my long 

 experience as manager and director of the industry in the immediate neighborhood 

 of Karluk, I believe I have acquired more than a superficial knowledge of the whole 

 subject of salmon fishing as well as the peculiarities and characteristics of the fish 

 which inhabit those waters during the season for catching the same. 



If the purpose of the Government is to construe the above-quoted provisions of 

 said section 1 so as to embrace within its scope the hauling of seines or nets, and 

 such seine or net hauling is to be considered as "preventing or impeding the ascent 

 of salmon or salmon trout to their spawning ground within 100 yards of the mouths 



