THE ALASKA FISHERMAN
Published the 15th of each month at Ketchikan, Alaska
WILLIAM L. PAUL, ATTORNEY FOR THE
ALASKA NATIVE BROTHERHOOD
Entered as second - class matter at the Post Office at
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
SUBSCRPTION PRICE $2.00 FOR TWELVE ISSUES
OUR PLATFORM:
ALASKA FOR ALASKANS.
FULL TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
ABOLISHMENT OF ALL TRAPS.
COMPETENT CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
TERRITORIAL PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY PROPOSED
A number of the members of the last legislature
met informally one night and some one suggested that
a proposed Republican Platform be adopted for the
entire Territory.
We herewith print the result of this and other
discussions for the consideration of tlie Republican
Party in Alaska, to-wit.:
1. Elective Territorial Officials for all major offices:
2. Separation of Territoial offices from federal offices:
3. Equitable taxation:
4. Trap-tax based on catch;
5. Discriminatory tax on non-resident fishermen:
6. Repeal by Congress of Section 27 of the Jones
Merchant Marine Act.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
As a sop for the defeat of the progressive indus
trial insurance bill, Joseph Murray amended the pre
sent workmen’s compensation bill by generally rais
ing the specific benefits about 20 per cent.
This bill was strongly supported by the cannery
and mining lawyers and so Tom Gaffney, Ralph Lo
men and Aylmer Rydeen had no trouble voting for
the bill altho these men fought against every effort
to strike out features objectionabe to working men
and to support features desired by the cannerymen.
The fight turned on the benefits to be allowed
wives, children, mothers and fathers who lived in for
eign countries. Tom Gaffney led the fight to reduce
their benefits 50 percent because, he said, “foreign
exchange is such that if we give them only half what
our people would get, they would really be getting
as much value.”
The price for the blood of a son killed by the can
ning and mining corporations has been reduced to 50
per cent by the membership of the Legislature un
der the leadership of Tom Gaffney.
“And Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss for
thirty pieces of silver.”
It remained for a latter day saint to show the
Priests how they could have saved 50 per cent.
“SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE SHOWN”
“The apparently hostile attitude toward the fish
ing industry reported at the start of the session
seems to have been based mainly on lack of informa
tion among a good many members as to the condi
tions encountered in the fisheries and their import
ance to the territory. Several packers who visited
Juneau during the session were given eyery appor
tunity to explain the situation, and their frank
statement of facts was VERY sympathetically re
received.—Pacific Fisherman.
The greatest sympathy was shown by Senators
John W. Dunn, Bartley Howard, Thomas Jenson and
Harry Pratt, and in the House by Ralph Lomen, Tom
Gaffney, Aimer Rydeen, Joseph Murray, Thomas Scott.
Ben Grier, Sumner Smith, Walter Fisher and Robert
Sheldon.
It is estimated that Senator Harry Pratt spent more
than $2500 while here in Juneau. We can give some
details, but we have no doubt but what our statement
will not be challenged by Senator Harry Pratt.
A BETRAYAL
In the last paragraphs of the speech of Hon Arthur
IYT. Free on “Alaska Fisheries” printed in the Congres
sional Record of March 3, 19 27. there is revealed the
principle on which Alaska is being governed.
“After a careful reading of the law I fail to find
where it is laid down as one of the duties of the
Federal Governmnt to build up the population. * * *
Furthermore population springs from prosperity.”
As a result of this policy. Alaska has some 6.000
independent resident fishermen, as against over 7,000
tor British Columbia where the government feels it
self responsible to “build up the population.” A1
tho packing one-fourth as much salmon as in Alaska.
Population does not spring from prosperity unless
the profits stay in the country and are reinvested
therein.
Kennecott, Alaska is the town where the greatest
wealth is produced, some ?4.500,000 in net income fn
1926, and yet there is practically NO population there.
Hyder, Alaska is the gateway to the great Premier
Mine, and yet Hyder is relatively unimportant as a
town. Wrangell, a fishing village with a small saw
mill is ever so much more important.
The difference is in this, (a blight that is true al