PROTEST SALMON TARIFF
Seattle fish dealers and pack
ers are protesting against the
present duty of 2c per lb. on
imports of fresh, frozen or
iced salmon, and also against
certain practices of the cus
toms service in dealing with
such imports, and the matter
was recently taken up by the
Alaska Committee of the local
Chamber of Commerce.
The protesting dealers point
out that there was no demand
for the duty mentioned, which
was slipped into the tariff act
mainly because no voice was
raised against it; and that the
duty imposes an unfair burd
en because the same duty of
2c per lb. applies to many
varieties of widely varying
values, ranging from 16c per
lb. for large red Kings to 3c
per lb. for Chums. Further,
under the existing customs re
gulations, it is necessary to
get a permit from the customs
service before salmon can be
imported; and that in order to
secure prompt release of ship
ments, it is necessary to de
posit cash in double the amount
of the estimated duty. This
at times ties up so much money
as to be a serious burden, and
it is desired to secure the priv
ilege of putting up a bond
from a regular bonding com
pany.
The method of figuring weight
for the duty is also considered
unfair. The regular practice
of buying is to deduct 2 per
cent of the total weight for
ice and slime attached to the
fish, and there is a standing
agreement to this effect be
tween the local fishermen and
dealers; but the customs officials
insist on assessing duty on the
full weight. Duty is also
charged on spoiled fish, even
if destroyed under the super
vision of inspectors, unless
they comprise as much as five
per cent of any shipment. These
practices are complained of as
unfair and unreasonable.
As for the rate of duty, it
would be possible on recommen
dation of the Tariff Commis
sion for the President to re
duce it to lc per lb., which
would afford considerable re
lief on the more expensive
varieties of salmon, but would
not greatly fyelp matters as
applied to cheaper grades. The
suggestion has been made in
some quarters that an ad val
orem duty on salmon imported
would be more equitable; but
a special act of Congress would
be required to affect such a
change. This would no doubt
meet some opposition, as it has
previously been brought out
that some packing interests are
strongly opposed to the im
portation of the cheaper vari
eties of salmon for canning;
although there appears to be
little if any objection to im
portation of the species used
for mild curing-—Pacific Fish
erman.
SALMON CAUGHT A LONG
"WAY FROM HOME
WATERS
Vancouver, B. C.,—James Cun
ningham, of the Provincial
Game Department, announced
that Sergeant John McLean,
of the Vancouver Police De
partment, caught a salmon in
the Gulf of Georgia which bore
marks placed on young fish
by the Canadian Fisheries De
partment and liberated in the
Atlantic Ocean.
All Indian Cavalry Unit
Representing 26 Tribes
Lawrence, Kan.—Troop C,
114th Cavalry, Kansas nation
al guard, is composed entirely
of Indians attending Haskell
Institute. The 85 enlisted men
represent 26 tribes in 22 states.
Troop C is famous for its
silent drill of 12 minutes, dur
ing which the men dismount.
LATE RUN TO THE
WESTWARD
It has been reported from
Dutch Harbor that the salmon
run is late in that district.
This is attributed to the large
amount of snow and cold
weather and cold water. A
poor fish run is being predicted.
Subscribe for The FISHERMAN.
Eureka Trading Co.
Frank Johnson, Manager
Dealers In
Groceries and Dry Goods
and
Trolling Supplies
Kake, Alaska
*■ ... .
SITKA CAMP
ALASKA NATIVE
BROTHERHOOD
Meets 8 P. M. Mondays
President: Secretary:
Mark Jacobs A. Hope
—.. '• 1 ♦
Thwaites Photo Shop
Ketchikan
Kodak Finishing
Copying—Enlarging
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Ketchikan Steam
Laundry
F. J. CHAPMAN, Prop.
Nothing but first class work done
Satisfaction guaranteed
Ketchikan> - Phone 24 - Aaska
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Ketchikan Grocery
R. W. EDMONDS, Prop.
Redman Building, Phone 71
Night Phone—Green 233
Ketchikan, Alaska
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QUALITY is what you want—
QUALITY is what we give at the
QUALITY BAKERY
City Float, Water Street
Phone—Green 140
Ketchikan, - - Alaska