File:Alaska, its history and resources, gold fields, routes and scenery (1899) (14763002792).jpg

Identifier: alaskaitshisto00bruc (find matches)
Title: Alaska, its history and resources, gold fields, routes and scenery
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: Bruce, Miner Wait
Subjects:
Publisher: New York, Putnam
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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oys fromforty to seventy-five men—are Chinamen. There aretwo exceptions, however, where the natives do most ofthe work of canning salmon, namely, at Klawak andNew Metlakahtla. It requires no special skill to catch salmon, yet it hasbeen the custom of these canneries to bring white meninto the country in the spring for the purpose, and takethem back to their home when the fishing season ended.It has been also the practice to pay the men for theirseasons w^ork after they have reached their homes, thusnot only taking the product of the streams away withoutpaying a dollar for it, but depriving the Territory of thebenefit resulting from the labour therein, which wouldcontribute in no small way to the support and upbuildingof the country. If these industries would employ whitemen altogether, it would bring into the country manywho might identify themselves with it in some way dur-ing the months the canneries are idle. Again, in thepacking of salted salmon, the interests of the country are
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FISHERIES 59 not considered. Fully seven thousand barrels, eachweighing two hundred pounds, are prepared for themarket each year. In the preparation of salmon an enormous quantity ofboxes are used, but the sawmills of the Territory are notpatronised; for the material is imported and the boxesare put together as they are needed, though they mightbe manufactured in the country of as good quality oftimber at less cost than they are furnished under thepresent system. South-east Alaska is covered with a dense growth ofspruce, hemlock, and cedar, which should be a source ofincome and a means of employment for a large numberof men, but it is lying dormant because one of the greatindustries of the Territory does not deem it proper toencourage manufactures within its borders. The liberty these canneries take in catching fish with-out restriction is a feature of this subject which is liableto be of great importance to the people who will in timeinhabit Alaska, as well as to the many thousands o

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