Show federal judge denies indian fishing rights A recent ruling by federal judge J stanley webster of spokane wash denied indians of the yakima umatilla and warm springs tribes the privilege of fishing without restriction it so long as grass grows and water flows in the land of the setting sun A treaty signed at fort walla walla in 1855 1853 was to have guaranteed the indians this right but judge webster held the treaty imposed on the sovereignty of the state and that the state could require 5 license fees from indians fishing 0 off ff their re reservations ions the ruling came in a test case between the state and sampson tulee attorneys for the state declared it was not attempting to rob the indians of fishing for food any time and any place they wished but that the intention was to control sale of their catches to commercial white fishermen who were evading the states con conservation on program I 1 in n his opinion judge webster said the treaty conferred on the indians perpetual easement to go to their fishing grounds but the supreme court has ruled the sovereign power of the state shall not be restricted no one would question the right of the state to prohibit indians from catching fish by the use of dynamite or other illegal me means a ns if you acknowledge the states policing power in such instances instance S yo you u cannot deny it vie the right to assess the india indians ns a reasonable license fee to fish especially when the funds go toward conservation and preservation of fishing grounds |