FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1899. 5O5 
waters, near and in the Arctic Ocean, present few inducements for 
‘apital to engage in this old-time industry. | 
In making the several investigations noted, a large amount of statis- 
tical and general information was kindly furnished by the officials of 
the several railroads, express companies, and steamer lines, as well as 
by canners, fish-dealers, and fishermen. In collecting statistics for 
California, Messrs. A. B. Alexander and E. A. Tulian, of the U.S. Fish 
Commission, rendered valuable assistance. 
The following table presents a comparison of the extent of the fish- 
eries of the Pacific States for the years 1888, 1892, 1895, and 1899: 
Comparative summary of persons employed, capital invested, and value of products of the 
Jisheries of Washington, Oregon, and California. 
States. 1888. 1892. 1895. 1899. 
Persons employed: 
Washington 3, 363 4,310 6, 212 9, 911 
OTefONEATE i sencteciscss 3,619 4, 332 6, 323 5, 643 
CR POPMT Rs eros ciciaie sock ssc esc e ce sc eee wie etewibes se 4, 684 5, 403 4,770 8, 974 
ars Te a | 
MOE Reon sesasieue oases et Serene Peete ssec eke 11, 666 | 14, 045 | 17,305 19, 528 
Capital invested: | 
IWESDINPLON SAiaar oe ccc seisaisis cine sees tens Heene siaeeis $1, 261,078 | $1,598,567 | $2,024,469 | $6, 601, 243 
OLEROME sae ae set nee oes hate 2 ecto edi Muse ee ein 1, 859, 299 2, 272, 351 2, 637, 412 3, 497, 643 
CalifOrmiseecs sence sass ecs coe cok eoete el oes 2,081, 950 2,526, 746 2, 612, 298 2, 774, 493 
MOTH AAs seem cers HORNS SES oe wien saarsee reas 5, 202, 327 6, 392, 664 | 7,274,179 12, 873, 379 
Value of products: 
WASHING TOMER oe ees cee ee aatee santo daca sciiecck $810, 26 $931, 568 | $1,402,433 | $2,871,438 
OLE SOM. cases cmseinssos ec weesdaccaSecedcanencmoees 733, 867 872, 405 1, 284, 186 855, 750 
SNA OT IN Gh Sica oe cote pareeereror ate tera iz clelorsje wie acinus efovoteirats 2,465, 317 3, 022,991 | 1,786,479 2,551, 451 
MO tall ase ee cessed ne ee ane e eee a nae eames 4, 009, 510 gad 4, 473, 048 6, 278, 639 
The above table is interesting as showing the increase during the 
past few years and the changes in the relative positions of the fisheries 
of the three States, so far as capital and products are concerned. 
Within the past ten years Washington has advanced from the lowest 
to the highest rank in capital and products. 
California has advanced in its general fish business, the decrease in 
persons employed resulting chiefly from the discontinuance of the seal 
fisheries, which at one time employed many men. California capital 
is also largely interested in the salmon fisheries of Alaska, which are 
not included in this report. 
The Oregon fisheries are almost exclusively contined to the salmon 
industry of the Columbia and the smaller coast rivers. On account of 
a decreased run of salmon the products have fallen off, although there 
is an increase in the amount of capital invested in canneries and cold- 
storage plants. 
The salmon fisheries were the first fisheries of the Pacific coast to 
be developed. At first comparatively unnoticed except by Indians and 
pioneers, who found in them a ready food supply, they later received 
the attention of capitalists, and more recently there has been a rush 
for favorable locations to establish salmon canneries, cold-storage 
