24 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
product is ready for sliii)meiit ; in other words, they receive the fresh fish at one can- 
nery door and place them at tlie other in tin cans, boxed, ready for sliipinent. They 
have their own bosses, are ready to work at any and all hours, and api)ly themselves 
strictly to the work for which they are paid. 
At Klawak in the early days Indians were paid $1 per day. Demands for higher 
wages resulted in a gradual increase until $1.50 per day was reached, while as the 
Indians became more expert they grew lazier and constantly clamored for increased 
wages. As the point had been reached where the prices paid for the work done made 
the pack too expensive to warrant a further increase, the manager decided to pay by 
piece-work. This was rather difficult to arrange, but was eventually accomplished. 
It was then found that each one performed about twice the amount that he had ever 
done by day’s work. 
Filling iiKicliiue. 
Under the piece-work system the Indian is still dissatisfied. During the time of 
our visit the labelers struck for higher lates; 25 cents was paid for 12 cases; they 
demanded 25 cents for 10 cases and got it. It is said that it now costs the cannery 
tiO cents a case to make the pack; one-half is paid in coin and the other half in store 
checks; but, deducting the fixed store profits, it still costs the cannery 51 cents a 
case. Chinese can be employed to make a hand pack for about 45 cents per case. 
At Klawak native women (klootclimen) are employed as labelers, fillers, cappers, 
and washers; boys as carriers and to assist at the gang-knives; and men in all other 
capacities. The least amount earned under the schedule is $1.50 per day for women, 
.and from that amount to $2, and one woman has made as high as $4 a day as a labeler; 
