INDIFFERENCE OF ALASKANS ALWAYS
PAID FOR
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When matters relative to the fisheries of
Alaska are before Congress, the people most vital
ly effected are usually indifferent and do not
present their support or objections. The Delegate
to Congress is handicapped in having but little
support as those in favor of most measures are
careful that they are always heard by petition,
action of the Chambers of Commerce, federal
officials of the Territory and by paid lobbyists in
Washington. The resident population related to
the fisheries never have the money to send iu
pc?rsonal representative to assist the Delegate in
Congress, they do not take the time to write in
protests or support relating to matters before
Congress and they permit their prejudices to de
stroy any solidarity of effort. Therefore in the end
they themselves suffer as well as the Territory.
We present the Welch Bill as a concrete in
stance. By the terms of this bill no floating can
nery may operate in Alaska unless they have
made application for license prior to December
31st of each current year; no salmon may be
brought into the ports of Alaska from without the
2~mile limit during any closed season. But this
prohibition, by amendment has been removed
from other continental waters of the United
States.
It has been established beyond a shadow of
doubt that the Welch bill is an attempt to gam
a complete monopoly over the Bristol Bay dis
tricts. The part that Commissioner of Fisheries
Henry O’Malley has played in this stinks to high
heaven.
The packing combine has complete control
over that district having secured title to all
available cannery sites by use of soldiers’ script.
The only way an operator, not a member of the
combine, may enter that country is to use the
floating cannery. The bill is designed to protect
the combine which packs and markets 98.7 per
cent of the salmon from that district. The total
pack of that district is 2,000,000 cases of which
the floating canneries—three in number—pack
163,000 cases. The effort of the Welch bill should
be directed not to the protection of the combine
by the destruction of the operations of the little
canners, but for the strengthening of those small
outfits. There is no denying, the effect of this bill
is to drive out the floating operators.
Discriminating Against Trollers
The provision is inserted in the bill whereby
Washington and Oregon trollers may take into
Continental United States any and all fish they
catch without the 3-mile limit. During the closed
season in Alaska, resident fishermen SHALL NOT
bring into Territorial waters any fish caught out
side that limit.
Oregon and Washington trollers may clear
for Alaska waters and operate outside the 3-mile
limit, return to Prince Rupert and Washington or
Oregon ports and dispose of their catches. Alaska
fishermen must remain on the beach or in port
and twiddle their thumbs while the non-resident
fishermen are permitted to operate through this
unfair discrimination.
The business men of Alaska are just as in
terested in these matters as the fishermen. There
is no business man in Alaska who is not vitally
effected by this legislation. There is no business
man but would be greatly benefitted by a greater
earning power of the fishermen. It is a matter of
deep wonder to those interested why any business
man should be indifferent to the welfare of those
people whose earnings makes possible the con
tinuance of virtually every mercantile establish
ment in the fishery sections.
The fishermen themselves should be more
concerned. As a matter of fact, the Alaska Native
Brotherhood, in Southeastern Alaska is the only
organization which is making any opposition to
this Welch Bill which is kin to the Sulzer—Alex
ander bill which would have given title to trap
sites.
In the end, if this legislation passes and the
territory is discriminated against, it will be the
fault of the fishermen as much as anyone else—
for their indifference permits passage without
trouble.
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WANTON WASTE AND DESTRUCTION
OF FOOD FISH
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Delegate Wickersham’s bill to prohibit the
wanton waste and destruction of herring, salmon
and other food fish in Alaska is slated for the
discard according to the action of the committee
on Merchant Marine, Radio and Fisheries.
It appears to be a matter of little concern to
the business interests of Alaska, the several
Chambers of Commerce that the herring fisheries
shall be destroyed. It is a very shortsighted
policy which permits death of this bill.
We have seen the day when 147 “smoke boats”
operated in Chatham Straits district, bringing in
thousands of pounds of herring which were fed
to reduction machines and fertilizer and oil made
from the works. Where 147 boats operated less
than three years ago, only 50 operated last year
and only 25 will operate this year. As depletion
lias been accomplished, the 50 boats did as much