THE ALASKA FISHERMAN
Published the 15th of each month ^Petersburg.
Alaska, by A. N. B. Publishing Cq. *
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Louis F. Paul - Editor
C. O. Parks - Business Manager
Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office
at Petersburg, Alaska.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $2.00 FOR ONE YEAR
OUR PLATFORM
ALASKA FOR ALASKANS.
FULL TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
COMPETENT CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
ABOLISHMENT OF ALL TRAPS.
THE TRCLLER’S STRIKE
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By the middle of the month, the battle be -
tween trollers and buyers was a deadlock. The
trollers, white and Indian, were tied up almost to
a man in every important fishing district. There
were some of both factions who fished right thru
but the strike might well be described as having
been complete.
During the month of June, a buyer in Juneau
described some of his difficulties to the writer,
representing an eastern firm, he had issued a
draft for a sum not exceeding $500 and that draft
remained unpaid for three weeks after it was
presented. Money for immediate operations, in
the main, had to come from the cash turn-over.
The economic depression, industrial depression,
and following hysteria just about made it impos
sible for the buyers to place their investments in
immediate jeopardy.
While the problem in the trolling industry
appears to be most acute, it is not to be forgotten
that every other line of industry is going thru
the same readjustment. The high tide of prosper
ity has left many an independent concern high up
on the rocks of adversity. In the readjustment
fishermen and buyers suffer—but mostly the con
sumer foots the bill.
In the month of idleness caused by the dif
ferences between buyers and fishermen, the re
sident business concerns of Southeastern Alaska
towns have felt reason to worry aoout the out
come of the strike. Even Juneau, “the town of.
the big mine,” had reason to feel loss of business
from troller and halibut fisherman. And never
was it so forcibly impressed upon Alaskans how
much of Alaska’s prosperity hinges upon the in
dustry and prosperity of it’s fishing population.
f
» AUDITOR 1\|ADB FIGjuAfe HEAD
From the iMidftight Sun .
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Chapter 103, Session Laws: A board of exam
iners consisting of the Governor, Treasurer and
Attorney General of the Territory is hereby creat
ed.
Whenever the Auditor snail disallow any
claim or demand .... the claimant or officer who
has within 60 days given written notice of appea,
to the Board of Examiners from the decision of
the Auditor.
In the above manner the Legislature with
drew the powers attached to the office of Auditor,
and returned them to the Governor; powers be
longing to a legally constituted Territorial offi
cial. In fact, insofar as the office is concerned, it
might as well have been abolished and the item
or salary saved. It would be equally as logical
for the Legislature to have voted itself out, of of
fice, given the Governor power to levy taxes and
let him name a commission to disburse them.
Imagine the Controller of Currency having
to face the President and his Cabinet every time
he refused to pay an item not in conformity with
the law and methods of presentation!
Such disallowances, if found to have merit
even though erroneously presented, may be ad
justed by a special act of a legislative body. But
cur government does not permit of the President
and his Cabinet exerting extra-administrative
powers by usurping those accorded to another of
ficial!
What the Territory needs most is a grammar
school for prospective legislators!
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BAD GOVERNMENT COMES WHEN VOTERS
LOSE HOLD
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From Seattle P. I.
The cynic and the shallow thinker often say
that the people always get as good government
as they deserve. This, of course, is not true. The
people pay vast sums in taxes for good govern
ment, and deserve to get what they pay for.
A great majority always vote for candidates
they BELIEVE will give them good government.
Bad government creeps in at a point where
in a democracy, the voter loses hold upon public
officials. Yet this hold need not be irrevocably
released.
To the extent to which it is released, the peo
ple deserve no better government than they get.
In the quality of government there are both
positive and negative factors involved.
Positive support of the public official who is