further important reason that they
are almost certain to ‘ be VERY
HARMFUL to the salmon industry
in the course of a few years. If
the few companies now operating1
these floating traps continue their
use, other concerns in the same re
gion will be forced to adopt similar
devices for reasons of self-protection.
If a cut-throat policy is put into
actual practice, the end of the sal
mon industry as a going commercial
business can easily be forecast.”
Rig Decline in 1919 Compared With
1918
‘‘In 1918 the catch of salmon num
bered 101,454,688 and in 1919 it was
58,172,865. This shows a decline of
42 per cent in the catch. These fig
ures are a startling and significant
commentary indicating succintly as
they do the status of the salmon
fisheries at the end of last season’s
operation.” * * * “Of the more
than 58,000,000 salmon caught in
1919 nearly 40,000,000 came from
Southeast Alaska, the balance being
about equally divided between the
ether two districts. From these gen
eral figures let us proceed to a more
detailed account of conditions in each
of the three districts into which the
territory is usually divided, namely,
southeastern, central and western
sections.”
Conditions Serious
“The situation in Southeastern
Alaska is not especially surprising,
as under present conditions a repeti
tion of the astounding production of
1918 could not reasonably be ex
pected.” * * * “It is a recognized
fact that in the southeastern district,
salmon fishery operations are becom
ing more intensified each season,
seines and traps alike being em
ployed, in greater numbers than be
fore, and other movable appliances
being operated more assiduously as
the years go by. It therefore seems
that the industry cannot hold its
present position, much less grow,
unless further provision is made
for the replenishment of the fish
eries.”
Ketchikan, June 30, 1925
M. W. G. Smith,
Territorial Treasurer,
Juneau, Alaska.
Dear Sir:
You will remember that I introduced
a bill in the last legislature providing
for a system of taxing non-resident
fishermen, and repealing the present
law, and that you appeared against
the bill, and also that it passed the
House and later on passed the Sen
ate, but owing to the fact that it
reached the governor’s office within
three days of adjournment, the gov
ernor gave it his pocket veto.
The Juneau Empire, in discussing
this lack of approval, stated that
Governor Bone gave as his reason
the fact that you were opposed to
the bill, and that you opposed it for
two reasons: First, that it would
not increase the revenue from our
trap system; and secondly, because
it involved complicated machinery,
which would require an increased
personnel in your office.
The statement of the Juneau Em
pire seems so unreasonable, that I
am hesitating to attribute this act
of Mr. Bone’s to your office, and
would appreciate very much a state
ment from you on this point.
Yours very truly,
WILLIAM L. PAUL
WLP:FD Representative First Div.
July 8, 1925
Honorable William L. Paul,
Ketchikan, Alaska.
Dear Sir:
Receipt is acknowledged of your
letter of June 30, regarding the
fate of a certain bill introduced by
you during the 1925 legislative ses
sion.
It is H. B. 31: “An act to impose
a license tax upon fish traps, which
received the pocket veto. I will frank
ly state that T did not speak to Gov
ernor Bone in opposition to the bill.
As I recall, it provided for a basic
liscence fee of $100.00 with an addi
tional tax of $3.00 per thousand on
all fish caught, weekly reports on an
traps being required, but the Treas
urer’s Office being required to collect
an initial fee of $200.00, make up a
tax bill at the end of the year and
refund out of the extra hundred or
ask for more as the reports on each
trap would necessitate.
To what extent mv opposition in
fluenced Governor Bone, I am unable
to state. 1 recall that the Empire
gave me some credit in the connec
tion, but on what grounds, T can not
now remember. However, I can assure
that failure to increase the revenue
over the present trap taxing system
was not one of them. In all probabi
lity an increased revenue would have
resulted, but to speak advisedly in
the connection one would simply have
to take our tax records for the past
year and figure the fish trap taxes
under the rates sought to be im
posed by H. B. 31. Then there would
Ketchikan Meat Co.
Next to Custom House, Ketchikan
Central Market
Newtown, Ketchikan
Dealers in
Fresh Meats and Provisions
Special Attention Paid to Boat
Orders
KETCHIKAN MEAT CO.
Phone 120 Day
Phone White 76 Night
Phone 307
CENTRAL MARKET
Butterhorn Bakery
The House that Quality Built
Ketchikan, Alaska
Kaffe-Stova Cafe
ED. BROKKE, Prop.
NORWEGIAN SPECIALTIES
Seamen’s Home, Mission St.
Ketchikan
C. M. CARLSON
Chiropractor
PHONE
WHITE 100
Seamen’s Home
Ceiling's’ Cash Store
I. W. COLLINGS, Prop.
58 Mission St.
New & Second Hand
Household Goods
Telephone 188
Ketchikan, Alaska
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