The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, February 20, 1945, Page 5

MATCHFOR TRAP FOES ndustry Spak_esman inRe buttal of Critics at ! Senafe Hearing After being held up in the Alaska enate almost a week, awaiting Tonday's calendar, it looked for a me yesterday afternoon as though he Fish Trap Referendum Bill ight be in for another detour. The ill, transmitted from the House to he Secretary of the Senate, was bound to be “not a true bill.” The act that the measure had been mended ‘before passing the lower hamber did not appear. On motion, the bill was sent ack to the House and the Senate elved into other business, while he nearly-filled galleries smothered heir anticipation. Just before 3 ‘clock, House Biil No. 6, finally correct form, was returned to and the body resolved into a Commitiee of the Whole to hear witnesses on the eferendum question. Senate Presi- lent Edward D. Coffey appointed senator Howard Lyng to hold the hair during the hearing. First witness to appear was Rep- esentative Frank Peratrovich of Klawock, author of the bill. In his tatement he declared himself rep- esenting 6,000 persons — working ishermen—against 84 owners of 34 fish traps; 57 of the owners being non-resident individuals or ompanies - controlling 396 traps, eaving only the 38 remaining traps o resident ownership. Referring to a remark that had fome up in the House hearing on he measure before it was passed oy that bodythat this is the leventeenth time fish traps have “on trial” before the Legis- Mr. Peratrovich stated his belief that it is “about time the juestion is settled once and for all, or or against” by the people of Alaska, which is all the measure inder discussion proposes—merely hat the question be submitted to ‘he people. “It is at_Jeast.a chance to create rarmony in the Legislature on the “ish trap question,” be averred. Trap vs. ‘Seine Boat Taking up the case of the fish trap vs. the seine boat, Peratro- vich - declared that the quality of ITS ENGINES STILL RUNNING while hurried g operation—waifs on a rendezvous fliers who had crashed in enemy i territory where they were hidd could fly in and get them. A dangerous undertaking for all wh timed. After seven minutes aground, the rescue planes got off. AAF 945 Yanks Freed from Bilibid e : ] | Three Yanks, each of whom lost a leg battling the Japanese on Bataan, only to be captured and placed in Bilibid Prison in Manila, 1 gather around as one gets his first cigarette in two years from an American of the force that freed 800 military prisoners and 500 civilian internees at Bilibid. (AP Wirephoto) seined fish has been improved in recent years through union agree- ments with the canneries that the fish must be delivered to the can- neries within 24 hours of being caught; greatly weakening the argument for traps on the ground of comparative quality ! In answer to the conienuion that the average level of the amount of the salmon pack would be low- ered by elimination of traps, he declared that two seine boats could replace each trap, with the result that 872 new boats could hold up the level. At an average of six crew members per boat, that would mean that 5232 more workers and their families could be supported: meaning increased purchasing power and more business for Al- aska merchants. “Small ishould be behind this measure,” he said The only revenue to be lost to the territory would be “the trap tax, amounting to about. $150,000, RESCUE BY AIR FROM WITHIN THE NAZI LINES |against any business men of Alaska. | ch would be offset by the op- ion of more boats with in- ased seine lengths. Fishermen are at a disadvantage competing with traps, Representa- tive Peratrovich emphasized. He cited canneries at Sitka, Hoonah and Klawock to establish that can- neries can be operated without traps, without lowering the pack level. He also pointed to British Columbia, where the salmon indus- try seems to get along without tr 1d where, he claimed, the fishermen are more prosperous, even with lower fish prices, because of increased catches. Alaskans Incensed cr Alaskans are incensed when Sec- retary of the Interior Ickes creates new tions, Representative Peratrovich remarked. kind of % The: people of Alaska say they don’t like reservations—but, for the past |20 years they have permitted reser- vations of special privilege.” Fish traps are such reservations. You are fighting reservations on oodbyes are said, a rescue plane—one of several engaged in the field within the German lines in Yugoslavia to take oft with American en by Yugoslav guerrillas until their buddies 0 took part, the evacuation had to be exactly photo. (International Soundphoto) R TROOPS PARADE IN LIBERATED WARSAW r 4 ™ PAST GREAT RUINS in their war-battered capital, Polish troops that fought their way in with the Russian army parade through the streets of Warsaw in celebration of v Hardly more than a ghost of its former proud self, shrine o freedom and is cherished as such by Poles throughout the world. years of war. ictory over the German invaders after five devastated Warsaw is still regarded as a (International Radiophoto) - | THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE- JUNEAU, ALASKA one hand nd permitting reserva- jtions to be held by non-residents |on the other hand,” he closed. i C. R. Burrell, of the Alaska |Fishermen’s Union, Cook Inlet jbmnch. was asked to the stand by {Senator H. H. McCutcheon. He |stated his belief that the salmon canning industry could be carried on as well with mobile gear as with traps, making special reference to Bristol Bay and other Third Division fishery areas. He declared {that in Cook Inlet gill nets alone . |could keep the canneries operating; they can furnish all the fish needed,” he said, and added that 97 per cent of the gill net and set net fishermen of Cook Inlet are | residents of the Territory. In reply to a question by Senator R. Walker, he stated that hand traps in that area yield an average of 30,000 fish, while gill nets catch 10,000 as an average. Arnold On Stand Representing the Canned Salmon Industry, W. C. Arnold took the ‘stnnd to “offer opposition in the { guise of information.” Increased population, greater earning power, places for returning war veterans, stimulated local business in Alaska, all are “definitely desirable” objec- tives, he affirmed. “If this bill could |accomplish these objectives, no one | fcould have any objection to it; ibut in my opinion they will not be 10!)(:\)11(‘(1 5 | He declared the decrying of fish Itraps to be the “effort of a well organized minority” within the le'mor largest industry to put their own cause ahead of the wel- fare of the whole industry. Replying to Peratrovich's state- {ment that he represented the wishes of 6,000 fishermen, Mr. Ar- Inold said. “In normal years there lare 25,000 persons employed in all (the salmon fishing industry.” What {of the other 19,000° The 2,500 ‘wcrkors engaged in the operation, |servicing and maintaining of traps “also want to come back to their |old jobs.” | Mr. Arnold pointed out that the |competition between ' traps and iseine boats is not as great as is often charged. Traps are generally |located farther from the river meuths than seine boats will nor- imally operate. “The proportion of seine boats that can and do op- |erate in outside waters is small,” he stated. Seine boats can work profitably only after the salmon ;have “schooled up” on coming |nearer the creeks. On the point that about 800 new seine boats could replace the traps, Arnold remarked: Even if it |were true that that number of boats could maintain the level of {the pack, who would make the in- vestment in the boats? If the $3,000,000 invested in traps is con- |fiscated, who will build 800 boats, at approximately $20,000 apiece, to |replace them? | Investments There the are 109 canneries in ieach an investment of from $500,~ 1000 to $1,500,000. They are built to loperate on a regularly-maintained supply. Such a supply can be ob- tained only from the use of traps, which are in effect, a reservoir from which fish can be drawn as they are needed. They are. brought from the trap to the cannery in from 10 to 14 hours of the time it {is determined they will be needed. In case of a break-down at a can- nery, fish can be held in the trap. No damage results to fish in traps during th first four days except in cases of extreme weather. Seine boats, on the other hand, will swamp a cannery when fishing is good, a few days later the weather may turn or the run be lost and then boats cannot keep the can- nery going. Replying to a question by Senator McCutcheon as to why there are no traps in Bristol Bay, Mr. Arnold replied that tidal conditions prevent the use of traps exeept well up into the streams.‘That is where they were located in early days—in the form of river barricades — but Bureau of Fishery regulations pre- vent them there now. Answering Senator Lyng, he stated that in the areas where traps are used, only one or two canneries operated on trap-caught fish exclusively. He said canneries will use seined fish when available and keep their trap supplies in re- serve, when possible. Normally, a cannery uses about 65 per cent trap fish and 35 per cent from seine boats. The objection of the industry to the proposed referendum, Mr. Ar- nold explained, is that all the people in the Territory will be voting' on a question that effects only the coastal regions. Inland residents are not in a position to !mow the facts and judge accord- ingly. “It is not a Territory-wide question,” ‘he stated. Case Of Washington In answer to a question by Sen- ator Andrew Nerland with regard to conditions in the State of Wash- ington, Mr. Arnold said: Puget Sound was once one of the great salmon regions of the world. But, there the farmers of Eastern Wash- ington and the sports fishermen, by referendum, voted out the traps in 1934. Now there are less than one-third of the canneries operat- ing, the pack is down 40 to 50 per cent and there are fewer seine boats than when the traps were working. “The industry there stag- nated and the fishermen moved away.” Sports fishing is left. Referring to Senate discussion cn another bill earlier in the day, Mr. Arnold remarked: the effect of this bill will be “to eliminate the salmon industry and leave the whiskey tax the principal source of revenue for the Territory.” Elimination of the fish traps would be a “step back- Territory, he continued. About 70 of | them use traps. The canneries are! ure is in the platforms of the two, parties, in that they are not definite | and realistic. from effi- continued. “You say to encourage ‘outside capital’, yet you would confiscate| Senator Shattuck referred to the| several million dollars in such|insufficiency of communications in| capital already invested here. You|the Territory to properly inform the | are anxious for statehood. Do you|yoters; to the responsibility owed to think Congress, which also repre-ithe consuming public, a point of | sents non-residents, would give you|yiew often overlooked; to the likeli- control of your fisheries if you hood of the should act to confiscate the HlVé‘Sl-\mhmg industry by large seine boats | ments of the industry?” No, M"Uc-{operntod from Outside, should tish| men, “It can't be done!" {traps be eliminated. There is no Lloyd Testifies | protection against tuna fishermen Frank Lloyd, Ketchikan cannery-'from Washington. Oregon and Cali-| man, offered the concludihg testi- fornia moving in, he said, as the| mony. He illustrated a point in|eourts have held against legislation | opposition to the elimination of \that would discourage them fish traps by referring to a region | Against Confiscation | {in British Columbia where veterans genator Tolbert Scott announc m(f helding shore land grants are de- pis stand against the confiscation of | rous of securing return of fish property in which many have in- (traps under conditions similar to!yested. Investors are entitled to| |those now prevailing in Alaska, in |, iotection, he stated. “We should | ;order to secure better conse ‘““‘"),ngulu:o. not abolish. If the Terri- of the salmon, which are being|iory wants to do away with traps, let| {fished out there by gill netters. ine Territory buy them,” he declar- “The traps are the best method to|aq e ; police fishing and secure escape-| genator Andrew Nerland referred ment _to.spawning grounds,” he de- |, 5 Federal mandate to the Terri- o re.|tory during the first World War, not R0 trogress |to interfere with the fishing lx]d\!.\- BREK T reguiar sesalons e an| BT 88 its products were needed for ate adjourned nnt’xl”(ms: murnmg“’“ BB fuen reosled RS fat 0% o'cloek 5 fishing industry has been paying the ? bills of the Territory for a good many years; making Alaska a p(md‘ {place to live and grow old in. He remarked on yesterday's hearing as being the best conducted and most informative of all his years in the | Legislature, when the same general ——~——— | | \issue had been up for consideration Not Morons fi Senator -McCutcheon took a sec- { tond turn on the floor to say: “The { people of the Second and Fourth | | Divisions are not morons,” to be | {kept from voting on this matter. | Senator Frank Gordon declared {that he had learned considerable “ Se n a ' e VOteS Measure |about fishing yesterday, but that the fi Down by close Maf' question fiad regard to a “referen-| | i .'.h M A dum only.” If the jeople vote that | |n l !ihey want traps done away with, | g S ornlng ilhen it will be up to the Legislature . to take what action it sees fit, he i n S Of legislativelsaid. ~The bill does not say that the| ko : (il i ur:;. “mif““ e | LegiStature must act to abolish traps i PP IS MOMNINY | ganator Gordon pointed to the pro-| ‘when another 7 to 9 vote defeat-| refer: s “one of the ed the Fish Trap Referendum mea-| o o & 1 i e B ‘cum Hbnse Bill Mo 6. Neatlvy v i fundamentals of Democracy.” by No. 6. Nearlyy tWo/gore the issue can come to a vote of {hours of heated controversy preced- ¢y. paople, they will be amply in- ed the action that made the measure | ¢ rmfi ‘:w' concluded T;xe g' sl- the second to fail of passage in the| = i & 1 o ppos IR ahmber tHis Easio] ‘wupn forces will flood the Territory Carried over in ond reading ey mfollr’r::;lew?);m“r“y ilt:eoax::‘ing]:o??e?dr::lytLe:;\cmhi]tlhewxéfcic Eenator Walker replied that “pute | vanced to the head of today' Calan.| oSGt W Ry sulted only in “chaos and confu that out government had a darand went into third reading|j, .. imore realistic approach, “Democracy [ without amendment. Senator Andy Gundersen opened- by representation.” discussion of the referendum act| Senator Howard Lyng, siding with !when he declared that it did not|Senator McCutcheon, in “having im- much matter what the Legislature plicit faith in the people”, pointed {or the people did on the question, as to public opinion poll as a national the Fish and Wildlife Service of the|illustration. He then took stand on | Pederal Government set all the rul-/planks, “in both the Democratic and | ings. Hefteferred ‘again to cmlm_'Repubncan platforms” against fish! tions on Pudget Sound where a|traps. State of Washington referendum| Senator Don Carlos Brownell de- !drove away a 3 1/2 million dollar clared himself “amazed” at reflec- | business. Many men are now em- tions heard on the floor of the Sen- ! ployed during the winter months ate “that the majority of the people| in cutting piling and logs for traps | can not vote intelligently.” | {and many others in the spring pre-l Senator Shattuck took the floor| paring traps for the coming season. |again, to state that he had not been | To rule out traps would cut the sea-|a “pariy candidate”, that he ran| son of employment in the fishing only as “Allen Shattuck”, in a spe industry to only 8 or 9 weeks. cial election. “Our government is Traps Necessary not a Democracy,” he said. In the | Stating that he no longer owned Unitetd States we have “Represen- any interest in fish traps, Senator tative Government” and have had it {Gundersen offered his belief that ' for 150 years. “The’best in our gov- traps are the “only modern, effi- ernment comes from the confidence | cient way” to insure cannery opera-'Of the people in those they elect to| tion, with conservation protected by represent them.” | the government controliing proauc- | That Party Platform tion. Ruling out the traps would re-| Senator L2o W. Rogge said he held duce the pack at least 40 per cen {the conviction that he was bound he affirmed. No boats or crews will to adhere to his party's platform,| be available to replace them for a'only as closely as he could in agree- long time to come. It's the same as|men with his own judgment. “Why “the goose and the golden egg,” he|should we pass the buck” to the concluded. people on this matter, he asked. Senator H. H. McCutcheon arose| Senator Nerland referred to Sena- to opine that the measure under dis- | tor Lyng’s remarks, with the reply cussion did not “ask to abolish that they “no doubt meant the two- traps,” it only wants an expression 'man platform from the First Divis- of opinion by the people. “I don't|ion Republicans.” “We are not )see any harm in that.” Stating |€lected on that platform, and it that he could not “see why these | does not tie “either Senator Butro- fellows are so frightened,” he con-|vich or myself,” he declared. tinued, “‘Let's get the people’s opin- The Fourth Division Republican ion on these important questiops.” Club opposes that platform Senator N. R. Walker referred to|“thoroughly.” the only major winter payroll of| Senator O. D. Cochran declared Ketchikan, the wire factories sup-ihis intention to vote against the plying traps, but said that “before!bill, because “the Territory has no- he was aware of the dangers in such |thing whatever to do with traps. If a referendim,” he had promised the on referendum, the people vote eith- author, of the bill to support it, and er for or against them-—what then? despite of his change of mind since Why should we spend money to put then, has been unable to get releas-|this issue to referendum, when it ed from his promise, so would havecan accomplish absolutely nothing?" to vote for it, “much against my|Jurisdiction over traps, he stressed, is will.” Iretained in Congress. He expressed Senator Frank Whaley said r,ha',’his opinion that the agencies charg- his only ‘previous acquaintance with|ed by Congress with maintaining fishing had been ' a Yukon River standards of conservation “have fish wheel, and thought many per-|made a mighty good job of it.” sons in his Second Division were in| Senator Gordon remarked: “Why the same position, that he would |is there such a fight over this issue, have supported the referendum on!if it can't accomplish anything?” his previous knowldge but that the Discussion Closed hearing yesterday had made him| Senator Joe Green closed the aware of both sides to the question.|discussion by declaring himself op- Such an opportunity would not be|posed only to the principle of rer-l available to all the people, he point-|erendum; but said he would vote ed out, then compared the measure{for the bill. As egperience shows, under consideration to a proposal he averred, referendu.ns present the to have all the people of the Terrl-{issues to the people in false forms, tory vote on the abolition of gold that do not meet the requirements dredges in the Second and Fourth [for information. Divisions, Following the vote that defeated the bill, the Senate recessed until 1:30 oclock this afternoon. He arose and Out-Dated Senator Allen Shattuck declared his conviction that the referendum| Before going into debate on the is an out-dated process — that it is|Fish Trap Referendum, the Senate not representative government. The|this morning heard the introduc- people won’t know all they should to tion of one.new bill; Senate Bill have an informed opinion before|No. 29, by Senator Cochran, “Con- they vote, he said. Referendums are | veying certain lots and premises in never successful; the principle is not[Nome to the U. 8. Government. It sound. “We are the duly elected|was referred to the Committee on representatives of the people,” he Municipal Affairs. avowed, “if we are not able to do as' 2 Al they wish, they will not send us back| Anthropologists declare that the here. If we, as representatives, do' celder the climate the narrower the PAGE FIVE GEN. KREUGER INSPECTS AIRSTRIP king over of Alaska’s, * LT. GEN. WALTER KREUGER, commanding general of the U. S. Sixth and of Luzon in the Philippines, is shown, left, inspecting construction work on a new airstrip on the Lingayen beachhead. Today General Kreuger's specrheads are near- \ng the capital city of Manila. (International) ONE CRAFT LOST IN PHILIPPINES WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 motor minesweeper YMS-48 been lost in the Philippine as a result of enemy action. The announcement by the Navy| The Pilgrims on the “Mayflower” Department made no reference as, were bound for New York when they to the total casfalties. |left Holland, but landed at Ply- The normal complement of a mouth by mistake. {ship of that type is approximately 30 officers and me S R S P A L FROM SiTKA is a The| Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Hilderbrand, has registering from Bethel, Alaska, are area staying at Hotel Juneau. - eee Come to the TRADING POST And Play Your Favorite Game Sponsored by - THE EMBLEM CLUB Tuesday Evening February 20 at 8 o'Clock in the Elks’ Hall Public invited You'll find your Studebaker dealer a helpful citizen THE months ahead may be hard going for many motor cars and trucks—but you will find your nearby Stude- baker dealer alert as always to your transportation needs and alive to his obligations to his community and his country. Despite losses of men to the armed services, Studebaker dealers have mobilized their facilities and their organizations to keep automotive equipment in good shape. And they are also continually co-operating in all programs to conserve cars, trucks, tires and gasoline. If you don’t know your nearest Studebaker “dealer, you ought to get acquainted. He's a truly helpful citizen. THE STUDEBAKER CORPORATION JUNEAU MOTOR CO. not do as thé people desire, the fail-|nose. v Studebaker . . . Peacetime builder of fine cars and trucks '