8 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
waters and lake sources of the river, and it will always he possible to out off this remnant in the 
manner suggested by Lieut. Commander Tanner and actually practiced by fishermen on occasions, 
that of stretching a seine across the open water. If the Government should interpret its act so as to 
allow the use of traps, in spite of the unfortunate outcome of such appliances in neighboring coun- 
tries, it should then prescribe regulations for the conduct of the fishery and appoint agents to see 
that the laws are enforced. If these matters are left solely to the discretion of the individuals having 
a financial interest in the fishery, there will soon he no salmon to protect. 
Very respectfully, 
T. H. Bean, 
Ichthyologist, U. S. Fish Commission. 
The papers relating to the obstruction of Wood Eiver were transmitted to the 
Secretary of the Treasury by the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, with the follow- 
ing letter: 
Washington, D. C., July 31, 1890. 
The Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C.: 
Sir: Referring to your communication of April 18 last, forwarding to Lieut. Commander Z. L. 
Tanner, U. S. Navy, commanding the Fish Commission steamer Albatross on the Pacific coast, a letter 
clothing him with full power to enforce the provisions of the Alaskan salmon law, with special refer- 
ence to obstructions which it was reported were to he constructed in the Nushagak and Wood rivers, 
I have the honor to transmit herewith for your consideration several documents hearing upon that 
subject, namely: 
Copies of two letters from Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, with their inclosures, dated Unalaska, 
Alaska, June 15 and 18, and a copy of a letter from Dr. T. H. Bean, ichthyologist of the U. S. Fish 
Commission, dated July 24. 
Lieut. Commander Tanner reports having visited the Nushagak and Wood rivers on June 3. He 
found no obstructions in the former river, hut in the Wood River two traps were in process of con- 
struction, with wings leading to the shore and leaving a passageway in the middle of the river 100 
feet wide. Not feeling competent to judge if these traps formed an obstruction to the ascent of 
salmon within the meaning of the law, Lieut. Commander Tanner did not feel justified in carrying 
out the provisions of the law without further instructions from Washington. 
Dr. T. H. Bean, whose letter is inclosed, may he considered as one of the foremost authorities in 
this country respecting the habits of the Alaskan salmon. He paid special attention to that subject 
during two official visits to Alaska, the last visit having been made a year ago, in obedience to instruc- 
tions from Congress contained in the act of which the law now referred to forms a part. In his opinion 
the building of the traps in Wood River according to the plan submitted by Lieut. Commander Tanner 
should be regarded as an infringement of the law, and in that opinion I fully concur. 
Should you desire to have further instructions respecting this matter sent to Lieut. Commander 
Tanner, I shall be pleased to transmit the same without delay, although, on account of the imperfect 
mail arrangements with Unalaska, I fear they may not reach him before the close of the season. 
Very respectfully, 
M. McDonald, 
Commissioner. 
To the foregoing communication the Acting Secretary of the Treasury made the 
following reply : 
Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, 
Washington, D. C., August 13, 1890. 
Hon. Marshall McDonald, 
U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C. : 
Sir : I respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated July 31, 1890, with the following 
inclosures : 
Copies of two letters from Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. Navy; one sketch and two blue 
prints of Wood River, Alaska, and one letter from Dr. T. H. Bean, ichthyologist, U. S. Fish Commission. 
The correspondence above mentioned has been carefully reviewed, and you are informed that it is 
the decision of this Department that the erection of traps as described by Capt. Tanner, or any other 
