THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHEKIES OF ALASKA. 
39 
and saltery for the support of hatcheries, and the suggestion that streams be leased 
for a term of years has everywhere met with favor.* 
It must be admitted that the laws and regulations pertaining to Alaska salmon 
fisheries are very generally disregarded, and that they do not prevent the illegal 
capture of fish. There is one case in which the law is likely to be respected, and that 
is when rival canneries, fishing in the same locality, are not mutually benefited by its 
non-observance. 
In conversation with the superintendent of one cannery it was remarked that, so 
far as experience and observation went, it was exceptional to find a cannery that did 
not pack some fish taken illegally. He seemed very much surprised, and desired to 
impress upon me that in that district the law was observed. Ten minutes afterwards 
he acknowledged that they did not observe the weekly close season, and the following 
day it was learned that one stream fished by this cannery was filled with nets from 
mouth to source, and that in the lake at the head of another stream there was a trap 
planned by the foreman of the cannery. 
It is i)robably true that fish are sometimes carried to canneries that have been 
taken illegally without the knowledge of the superintendent, for the reason that, 
excepting the home stream, he does not see much of the fisheries, as his time is taken 
up with the canning operations. In general the cannerymen would like to see the 
law enforced if it could be done impartially. While in a minor degree the law may be 
defective, and, owing to the varying conditions found in the vast extent of territory 
involved, may need amending, still it is good as it stands, and for the present it 
only needs enforcement, and this is not a difficult matter if the proper steps are taken. 
Without considering the large amount of money invested in the salmon fisheries of 
Alaska, the output is worth in round numbers $3,000,000 a year. Should not such an 
industry be fostered and properly protected ? 
Reference is made to the reports of the salmon inspectors published by the Treas- 
ury Department to show the nature of the work performed by these officials and the 
obstacles they encounter in the iierformance of their duties. 
My own criticism of the law is briefly as follows : It was evidently framed upon the 
basis thiit the salmon fisheries of Alaska were confined to large rivers like the Colum- 
bia and Fraser, while the fact is that 70 per cent of the Alaska pack is taken from 
around the mouths of comparatively small streams, and each stream presents certtiin 
* In April, 1898, the Secretary of the Treasury sent a letter to the House of Representatives in 
■which aineudinents to existing laws were proposed as follows and for the reasons stated: 
The present salmon-fisheries laws have been found inadequate to meet existing requirements, 
and their amendment along the line of the inclosed hill is recommended in the light of subsequent 
investigation by (jiovernment agents after careful consideration of the questions which the present 
law fails to meet. The material chtinges in the present law emlmdiod in the inclosed draft are, briefly : 
First. The erection of traps only under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. 
Second. The withdrawal of the protection afforded by the present law to salmon trout, it being 
generally understood that the latter species are destructive to salmon spawn and fry. 
Third. The extension of the operations of the law to tlie territorial waters of Alaska, thereby 
preventing the erection of stationary obstructions in the approaches to rivers and streams. 
Fourth. The prohibition of the erection of salmon canneries in Alaska without a permit from the 
Secretary of the Treasury. 
Fifth. The requirement of a detailed annual statement of the operations of all canneries and 
manufactories of fish-oil production to the special agents for the salmon fisheries. 
Sixth. The detailing of an emxiloyce of the Treasury Department to act as an additional s|)ecial 
agent without extra compensation. 
Seventh. The imjiosition of a tax upon the output of all canneries, salterie.s, fish-oil or fish- 
fertilizer works. 
Eighth. Changing the penalty for violation of this act from a maximum line of $1,000 to $5,000. 
