The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, March 31, 1940, Page 45

PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT EDITION THE DAlLY /\LASKA IMPIRL, SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 1940. HERRING PACKING INDUSTRY FACING CRITICAL PERIOD Assouahon Sees Closure in 1940 as Threat to Alaska Future AKSEL FAUCHALD Pacific Herring Packers' Asso- ciation The year 1940 is a eritical per- iod for the Alaska herring industry as the closure of Southeast Alaska to commercial operations puts to an|{ end an industry which for nearly 20 has produced important | income and employment for the Territory. The closure also may be used as an entering wedge in the fight by certain uninformed inter- ests to close down entirely the her- ring reduction industry in all dis- tricts of Alaska, including the pro- ductive Prince William Sound and Kodiak Island areas. closure of Southeast Alaska ing fishing for reduction is on two fallacies: (1) that 1¢ has been depleted and (2) that the herring should be reserved as food for salmon. In addition, it is believed by some that herring meal is simply used as fertilizer and should be discouraged. Ne Adequate Study The first lacks confirmation. Her- ring operatiens in Southeast Alaska ha been progressively restricted as to areas open to fishing and the Bureau of Pisheries, outside of a few cursory observations, has made no adequate study of abundance or depletion in the distriet. As abund- The such us CALIFORNIA IS COMPETING FOR FISH BUSINESS Cheap South;l Product Undersells Alaska Sal- mon in U.S. Market The State of California topped the Territory of Alaska as a producer of canned fish during the 1939 sea- son. This fact was revealed in a study of the competitive conditions faced in American markets by Al- aska’s canned salmon. The study was made recently by the research department of J. Walter Thompson Company, the advertising agency for the Canned Salmon Industry. The total canned fish pack pro- duced in the State of California amounted to 7,206,052 cases. The largest volume canned was in sar- dines, with tuna a close second and mackerel making up the remainder. Intense Market Competition With this tremendous volume of canned fish now being produced, canned salmon from Alaskan wa- ters is meeting intense competition for the money spent by U. S. house- wives on fish day meals. Tuna fish is competitive in price with such salmon varieties as Alaska red sockeye, coho and chinook. Sar- dines and mackerel are particulariy rong competition in the sale of pink and chum salmon, as both sardines and mackerel sell at prices below the cost of preducing canned pink or chum salmon. The Califor- nia products have supplanted cangied salmon in many of the poorer districts of the country as a result of this price differential ance in any fishery can be measured smmercial catches, the| siriction of areas makes tudy and regulation impos pro p.‘x sible Herring operators are asking how it will be known when the herrin | run is built up and plants can be recpened. And if the area is re- opened to fishing in a few years, | will anyone again invest in the in-| dustry after such demonstration of capricious regulation? Foed For Salmon | As to the second reason for clos- ing reduction plants, it is admitted that herring is a food of the sal- mon, but it is not the food of the salmon even the most import- ant item. No investigation has ever shown this. No study of salmon stcmach contents has ever failed to fish than herring to be important to king and silver salmon as food. Moreover, the salmon is a more efficient fish- erman than the herring purse sein- If there were not enough her- s show other far more er ring to pay a seiner for his gas, there would still be more than enough for the salmon as food. There is also a wide-spread mis- conception that herring meal is sim- ply used as fertilizer and as such, its manufacture should be discour- The fact is that for at least s no herring meal has been sed in this way. The high protein content of the meal has made it valuable in stock and poultry foods. Restriction of such an industry for such a reason would be as foolish restricting the use of corn as focd for hos Food For Stock | Herring meal is indispensible as a cattle and poultry feed. In this capacity it supplies the necessary vitamins, proteins and minerals, which are impossible to obtain by straight grain feeding. Herring oil is used principally in | the manufacture of soap, though scme is used in the making of paint, linoleum and the treatment of leath- er products. An increasingly large amount is going each year into the as blending of shortenings and into salad oils. The salmon ftrollers of Alaska, and to some extent the halibut fishermen, attack the herring in- dustry unfairly. There should be a community of interest among all branches of the fishing industry, which' should join forces in a com- men cause. One such cause is the fight against Japanese interests in American waters. tering ill will among themselves, all should unite to demand that nny‘ new commercial treaty which may be negotiated with Japan recognize | the United States’ sovereignty over | the fisheries of the Alaskan coast, | at least to uhe Cvnunenal shelf. SANITARY JUNEAU, | cases of red salmon; | salmon. | canned salmon amounted to 5,242,211 Instead of fos-| Last year, Alaska packed 1971 333 2509519 c f pink, and 629,412 cases of mum The total Alaska pack of Lower Costs Because California canning plants are close to large centers of popu- lation, the canning industry of that state is not put to the expense of transporting equipment, supplies, or employees more than short distances. This fact holds down production costs and makes it possible to sell the canned product at prices sub- stantially below the necessary prices for Alaska canned salmon To counteract this disadvantage of the Alaska salmon industry, sal- mon canners have been emphasiz- ing health values of canned salmon in their national advertising cam - paign which is now in its fifth year. This campaign is supported by pack- ers representing approximately 80 per cent of the Alaska salmon pack | < ->ees - Rare Fish Laprora Taken Here One of the rarest fish swimming in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean was caught by the halibuter Oceanic and brought to Juneau last summer. The fish, known scientifi- cally as a zapora, was classified by Seton Thompson, Assistant Chief of the Division of Alaska Fisheries of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. Only two specimens of the fish had been reported previously, Thompson said. Both were taken from Nanaimo Harbor to Vancouver Island. One of the specimens is |now being preserved in the Pro- | vincial Museum at Victoria, ‘ The strange denison of the deep was taken in 100 fathoms of water about 25 miles southeast of Cape Spencer, the Oceanic reported. The fish was approximately three feet long, five inches thick and about | 11 inches deep, shaped somewhat like a salmon. The body was covered with dark spots, the caudal fin was spotted on a lighter background and was rounded at the tips. Gills were rounded and perhaps five inches ——— —— across. The dorsal fin reached from the nape to the tail, as on an eel. " The head, most striking charac- | teristic, was blunt, rounded and| supplied with heavily - boned lips| and jaws, apparently for crushing | shellfish. | - eee - | The output of gold from Alaska‘ comes both from lode or hard-rock | | mines and from placer mines. MEAT (e. ALASKA Juneaw’s Leading Meat Market BEST QUAL ITY MEATS and QUICK SERVICE 13—Pho nes—49 .- SHAFFER—Manager | months of the Gulm(m Run QIJI)Imrls Qtvmnvr Run Since its beginnit b 0C ome | North,” “River House” and been a romantic th r ic bic- [ O'Moore,” her latest book. of fiction, history or travel ka 4 iskana” by Marie Drake of and Alaskans are different from any neau and “Alaska” by Lester D. other country or people on e Henderson, both published by The says Jack Hellenthal, Juneau author ve, are handly conpendiums of who named his history of Alaska tion on the Territory wPhe Alaskan Melodrama,” and ir ka, It's Resources, History it emphasized the dramatic side of nd Government,” by Mariette Alaskan history w Pilgrim, former Juneau Both the history Alaska and 100lteache was published dur- its litera e began with Peter the 1 p: designed as a Great in 1T when he but is a valuable book Bering off on his voyage r the eral reade as well. what lay beyonc L a 1 f the Totem,” a collec- a report of Berir voyages printed tion of Thlinget songs by Carol in 1735 which first mentions any 3eery Davis of Jur part of Alaska I to Ficlds of It is not likely that many libraries Scearce, s & have on their sl early y Klondike. rust books that tell of the voyages of \n who took part in b Bering, LaPerouse, Cook Van- Tunc by The Edingtons who (-o\ln;m' r\w:x W be possible for ry of “romAhes a library to cor many of the Averitaaesi d 10,380 items included Judge Sl o th Ghares th,fl,';s] James Wickersham's “A Bibliogra- gl 1‘:51]1;;\{01 Alaskan Literature, 1724- Bancroft's History of M You'll Want to Read Man's Tack” sl il Hm‘:lx 1km\\.w are the books on 1" Sy Friniahr S an Alaska she an ordinary . 2 e i e e e g s A Lu Liston photo. | 514 Some are written by Alaskans, Ay e Lo i i Mcre than likely the cargo 11 the hold of this ship at a Juneau dock censists in large gthers by stuc or travelers, y of Alaska by Gov. B0t L part either of cannery supplies or the mev-d Alaska produet, canned salmon. “A Guide to Alaska, Last Amer- o 3 , Ak ican Frontier,” b le Colby, “tells it o are located at ay distances from all a traveler needs to know g course, for a picture of SAlES AGENI Seattle, and it is necessary for mvm‘posl OFFl(E ,\11'"\}:“.‘, b i )“:\,k‘:," ‘\ [‘,};":Y"'f / > W. Shiels, author in the carly days, all o make their purchases and have ect book published in 1939 and in| Of “Seward’s Ice Box,” has f 3 Jack London IS IMPORTANT (e Saimon stpped o them ot sat- | ATTAINS FIRST | cieoe ressav e accompii | known- A Taska well for ind Rover aek s ed intervals during the year T iose o o guide Hoek more than 30 years. k vill hold Sales Agenls Actvities he Lure of Alaska Harry . SALMON MAN| o= s 1 CLASS RATING o o o5, e emplo les agent or sales ag- chatty manner what he thought 'r i ency, located in Seattle, who un- about the Territory on his trip to Alaska Canned Product Is certies to market te entire out- Juneau Mail V0|ume Last ' Kotzebue and back. Some of his put of the csnmery. This sales 8g opinions of the Territory and its Sold Through Busy ent i tum employs sub-agents or | Year Promotes’ Local |peopte are not especiaily flatterin ¢ I brokers in the principal cities and 3 % but then it is his book, and that is Represema“ve towns of the country, and sometimes 1§ Orgamzahon what he thinks about us. Published ! GIa in foreign countries, who call “upon i in 1939, By F, LEO WHIT or communicate with the wholesale | o oo of the amount of a5 !(\iv"\ »\!“!' ”.nlk;)xv 'm'(‘ I | sident, Pacific Canned Salmon futors i thelr mepes 0 business it did last year, the Juneau | ugytr @ COMECERL RSO e | Distributors Association ritory and endeavor to sell them |p,oi orice on July 1 will become| g “o0 R ! 3 canned salmon for this packer's ac- |, piret ¢ ek Drtics, the. oty | BTy W- Ola printed in 1939 | One of the most important phases count Y| from a previous edition, and brouzht | of the Alaska salmon canning in- . one in Alaska. Juneau also had the |y, 4o the date of its publication— | “| When one considers the extent |first second class office Th g | dustry is quite often overlooked ; 4 . |“a history of Alaska from its dis- cntizely, or given bub elight con- |Of ‘he termitory covered, the BURSH HGiross recelpis o stamp 8168 eovery to the present dey ! sldeation. The catier” Willoive. | 2RO the EElORY spent n BouiRacilie ki rentals ‘and, petiadicel pORNY Melodvaii | UTG Reloit » site for IS chnghey. (200 talkine with the.dSalers. thisifrate collections during 1630 amoill "y o 4y kan Melogvama” by 4] will make a careful survey to make undouiiamly m,'l'“.’v lling ex- led to $40,15250 as comparcd with|, oo nal. receniin l’)\l“’ g noil sure he will have an adeguateé sup- (1‘ “"W": \;':‘(;ym(, 4 ’m u|()‘:'X‘:“'ll<~'L4:‘ s?:i]l‘?lf y'”“:“I :1]‘:' \’“"]""” “;;‘(‘)‘( (;1[‘” Liveri; d, says its jac “y e ings it fhea. [similar industry or 'product of business after figuring a deduc- RRES Gng (B AL Tafash” fbie of heals bk | o oy SIHORD sexyioe 0k SLOM IR Increpss R Wes trse, ol T TR i ol and canning machine will en-|2 &8 all ratio of expense only by |from two to three cents. Thi " | Allen, of ttle; an “Wethority” ol | désyor: tpemploy G0ly’ Gitefil and. Lo nie the Dacks of Several Caps [alinsail gftlgs \has "scaompli) the Territory, whose book is one of | competent superintendents and | e v,"“',::t",”“"\ handling & very| ‘Advancement to a first class Of-|.,yyenqyre " Fish, Diplomacy and | foremen, will try to learn the lat-| npoooe ohts halva e e WAl bring, he. JUNEAL VOB | pogsen g thie NopEn Baeitic | est and most approved camning | ooritO Fois have a D [tEioe ndditonst funds to BIOYK | o wuoh Dage asits Wiks | mv"h;xh ana ‘prigdices. ADA WALl [ oo had e e e s L “m‘,‘;‘ = IV, ;:;“-‘,“ CORIREIE: SR IRUAK. NHE el ok spend considerable time in selecting ons of Mai Tales: Trails and Trials” of the Ry i g u;'l» Ripht oD Jed G In an average month of 1939 the ;:l‘h!] it it identify his product as one of OUb- | sess such well recognized brands, | o Of fIst clas mail and 2598 sacks “Seward’s Ice Box,” Archic W standing merit and his pack finds easier , it | Of other mail exclusive of air mail.| g0 ynteresting collection of Al- All too often, however, little con- | it carries the brand of the sales f"l"‘ 1938 ‘"“‘;(“\"':“:“;:"“”:‘)‘:‘ ;;:’:':i‘:fi askana, important addition to books i sideration is given to the sale of | agent : ) BRSPS JUCHES Lapout Alaska by Alaskans. W NDOW the pack until all the other mat- S Saiving average better than 50 pounds aplece| uprush You Malamutes” and wr.\l.m.- completely settled, ;mlrl The s I(“W""l"ll‘bflu AR acks-8 ARG WRIEL ‘Cradle of Storms,” by the Rev D‘SPLAYs sometimes not until the cannery is e sales agent, in addition to| Under a remodeling plan which goyarg R, Hubbard, S. J., Alaska’s L 5 his services in marketing the pack, | will be put into effect this year, the ; TR DT actually in operation. G it QA BRTEA b oA ae | o : s : i Glacier Priest, who tells of his An- | . W i Post Office here will increase its|j ey oo s W0 [ Sale al Function care of the storing and labeling Jobby and working space and add 176 l"!“[:“_]‘ L Attic” * intimate | is cne of the most important parts | ssist in the financing of the pack- | The number of its Post Office oo lived in Fairbanks and has of the company’s business ing operations or in carrying the boxes already is a unique feature ; STt ) th The canner cannot afford to travel | Pack after it is produced. He is of the Juneau Post omluv It has| o £ther books Shou G L about the country and sell his pack frequently called upon for vice 1781 which is more than any City to the wholesale or retail distribu-|in connection with the marketing |of like size elsewhere in the United tors of canned goods; nor can he | Of the product, the setting of prices ates. TIrregularity of the arrival WELL-DRESSEI’ Ml ]\T afford to employ a salesman or sales | ©h the various kinds of fish, and |of incoming mail and the absence P . manager to do so. The distances the grading of the pack from a of any mail carriers require the are too great and the selling sea- 4duality standpoint large number of boxes. come to twelye| During the summer months, the pack is being made, many de- tails of company operation and financing arise in Seattle to which son extends over the entire yea The canner usually ships his en- tire pack to Seattle during or after while It is apparent, therefore. that the selection of a properly qualified and reliable sales agent is one of the the canning season, where it is the packer is not able to give at- most important questions a canner stored and where, in theory, it is tention. In effect, the sa sent | has to decide because that is more |“sold.” The actual’ consumer of is the Seattle office of the pac likely to contribuie to the success canned salmon, who is the real While he is in ihe North or failure of his venture than any | “buyer,” does not buy the salmon He is also charged with the duty other deeision he will be called in Seattle. It has to be distributed and responsibility of shipping, in- upon to make. to the consumer through wholesale |voicing and collecting for the sal- ? PN and retail dealers. Most of these mon sold Today's news today in The Empire | WHAT'? DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED TO FUNCTION .... ConsultUs, For.... COMMERCIAL and JOB PRINTING Looseleaf and Blank Books Made o Order - - - AUTOMATIC FILES and INDEXES - - - Office Stationery and Supplies - - - Office Furniture ! 3 IF YOU WOULD READ ABOUT ALASKA H. S. GRAVES Wherever yol othes and at the H. 8. ( your person apparel. \VES 4 ntly-made 1 you p! he > STORI It add . See u i wear . Shirts in quality broad- cloth, They are made to stand up for long wear Colors and white. Why not stock up now buy for the spring and save. ® Ties in many patt and colors. Tt is one y to own a tie, and it is an- other t own a good tie Ours are all good L] Hose in silk and wool Cloked or plain, We have ‘em in work or for the man who wishes to dr up. We urge you to look them over they last the men like to buy an important item on ev- list. See us for sweaters! sweaters it is These are man's your needs in The finest of the stock of saw. A line from See us for what you short fine you ever to choose too want. H. §. GRAVES “The Clothing Wan* Phone Black 272 Juneau, Alaska 170 So. Franklin Volumes Should be on Your Bookshelf “Sondra St.