The American System
The system in Alaska as administered by
Henry O’Malley, U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries
permits construction of any number of canneries,
other than floating, and the use of more gear.
The conservation policy has been destructive of
the economic structure of the territory by employ
ment of fewer Alaska laborers by surplanting
them with two watchmen per trap and the use of
imported cheap labor. The Canadian system,
though it packs approximately half that of Alas
ka on an average, still employes three thousand
more resident fishermen than does the United
States system.
If the Empire is making any effort to build
up the Territory, then it must admit that the
Canadian system is the system which should be
employed in Alaska. If they are opposed to the
greater development of Alaska, the greater em
ployment of Alaska labor, then they should con
demn the Canadian system as being enthhy
wrong principle and practice and then educate
the Canadians to use the Alaska or Henry O’Mal
ley system.
A WARNING TO TOE LEGISL VTURE
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Tiie Territorial Legislature will have been in
session several days before publication of this
is me and without any doubt it will be worrying
about t axes--net only how to reduce the noffi of
taxes, but how to get more taxes to meet the
mowing needs of office holders, boards and insti
tutions cf the Territory.
The curtailment cf salmon production will
mean a decided reduction in tax returns to the
Territory. T' e pulp mills, so long pmurnd awe
still unborn despite *hc midwifing of the be!:.-/ in
dustry by • ‘ i Forest Department and the Teuoau
Empire. T1 Kennecott Copper Mining Coni' 10ny
has left nothing but a big hole in the ground end
ether mines are not on such a production as will
give much revenue to the Territo”v industry C he
ecnrng more stagnant as the depression of the
states becomes more felt in Alaska.
As round economic advice to the gonthenmn.
of the legislature we call their attention to a re
cent statement by Governor Roland S. Hartley. 'C
Washington: ‘“The one sure way to reduce the tax
burden is to emit spending public money” Cm it
be said that the legislators will be unable to un
derstand that statement?
WIRE SPIELER RULE MODIFIED
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There was great rejoicing in
the various
Chambers oi' Commerce when a letter was read
recently from Henry O’Malley, Commissioner of
Fisheries, advising- that the “wire spider” rule had
been modified. In some quarters it was declared
that the wire spider was not of vital importance
to the industry but from the general howl let out
in all quarters it would appear that the paid pro
pagandist sheets had been double-crossed. How
ever, the rule has been modified to the satisfaction
oi all in the interest of conservation of Alaska’s
fisheries.
The average Alaskan is* still wondering what
the hullabaloo was all about.
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“ZlEPKESE?JTATSON A LA SUTHERLAND
So begins a long tirade in the Juneau Empire
against Delegate Sutherland Withe ut going into
the meri'.s rf Sutherland's action, the Empire’s
N: ado against Sutherland for objecting reminds
• • of the legislative session of 1923 when the la
bor committee of the House employed William L.
paul to assist them in drawing up a suitable work
men's compensation bid. All ether “adviser’s” of
various committeees were paid, but when the mat
• was presented to Governor Bone, fiiend of the
Fmoirc v,e said “No." Tom Need was paid and so
was evcv ot her ads i er. We have long wondered
what principle of statesmanship was involved
' md causes ftahnman Bone to say yes to one and
nc to another.
COMMUNITY PROPERTY ACT
Under the present Territorial Laws, “what’s
mine is mine and v hat’s mv wife’s is mine.”
F°r several yum row efforts have been di
rected in the LegisLd to to have a “Community
P:operty” law passed. In the last Legislature in
toe rush of affairs do ing the closing hours of the
icn. the bill was lost even though it had been
f ' i'' o r a b 1 y reported.
TP ere is an imdercurr^nl going the rounds
• ; • -H'’ p will be plenty of opposition to the bill
11 U:: v°av. A hv any member of the Legislature,
• ' °’! (- T)-'' this act which is fair is a question
fh-H tuo ' mrrmn voters of Alaska cannot under
'•nv-r1- T' do'.cated again at thus session of the Le
° i t‘ d u .• c it mi gilt be well for the women voters
o he more thoughtful of their voces in the future
THREE YEARS OF FAMINE
The period of readjustment of the cannery
industry will be three years. During that time
every Alaskan must be ready to cinch up his belt'
tighter be they laborer or businessman.