THE ALASKA FISHERMAN
Published the 15th of each month at Petersburg.
Alaska, by A. N. B. Publishing Co.
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Louis F. Paul - Editor and Manager
Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office
at Petersburg, Alaska.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $2.00 FOR ONE YEAR
OUR PLATFORM
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ALASKA FOR ALASKANS.
FULL TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
COMPETENT CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
ABOLISHMENT OF ALL TRAPS.
FROZEN CONFIDENCE HURTS ALASKA
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“Frozen confidence rather than frozen assets
is the thing that is keeping Alaska from advanc -
ing in a business way.” Right at this time the
canning industry should have more faith in
Alaska and its development than at any time
during the past forty years. There is morfe reason
to believe in its future. Alaska is on the thresh
hold of the greatest development in its experi
ence. The distressed of other states are looking
to Alaska. It should be ready to make the most
of its opportunity.
Many Alaskans complain about the times
but they have not experienced the distresses
through which the people of the states have gone
through. These Alaskans are ready to quit be
cause of the neglect and discriminations caused
by the fishery industry. The canning interests
themselves complain about the problems. It is
time that these same interests invest in Alaska
more of the interest that they derive from its
resources. It is time that they planted in the
territory more money than is tied up in ram
shackle buildings which fall down after being
vacated for a couple of years. It is time that they
built up communities where they operate rather
than each fall leave a few shacks on “poverty
row” to be cared for by a lone watchman.
As soon as the corporate interests which
benefit from their affairs in Alaska assume a real
confidence in the Territory and work to build and
develop if to its greatest advantage, that soon will
the Territory be a country worthwhile to live in—
whether it be for laborer or business man,
WHERE IS THAT SURPLUS
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In the past several months it has been point
ed out in these columns that there is a stringent!
shortage of funds in the Territorial treasury.
Auditor Cash Cole has been warning the Territory
that it could not continue expending more money
than its revenue and still permit a balance in the
treasury. He has warned that the school funds
and pension funds for the pioneers are in danger
of becoming so short that payments could not
be met.
It has been just as vehemently denied that
there was a shortage.
We quote the following from a westward
paper:
Cook Inlet Subsidy Withdrawn
Evidence of the baleful effect created through
the last Legislature surrendering to the Governor
of practically all the powers accorded under the
Organic Act, comes to light in the information
that the Governor has notified Captain Heine
Eerger, of the MS Discoverer, that the subsidy
voted by the Legislature will not be forthcoming
this summer.
The withholding of the subsidy is a serious
blow to approximately 500 people, residents of
Cook Inlet.‘With the aid of the subsidy, it has
been possible to maintain a regular service, keep
ing those settlements along the Inlet in constant
touch and communication with the Outside World
The condition is made possible through the
action of the Legislature in delegating to the
Governor approximately 80 per cent of the control
of appropriations. And the Governor has not
been slow in exercising this authority.
Those familiar with conditions, see in the
action an effort at discipline against any Alaskan
who incurs the displeasure of Federal powers.
Last summer Captain Berger and Capt. Axel Olsen
locked horns with The Alaska Railroad because
they accepted consignments of freight from
Seward to Anchorage. It was rumored at the time
that “they were flying in the face of providence”
in entering into competition. Evidently Captain
Berger was.
Captain Berger finds it will be necessary to
increase passenger and freight rates, and it will
be impossible to give past service without the
subsidy, although he will still carry mail under
his contract. He had the subsidy last year, but,
according to information, has been notified by
the Governor that the subsidy for 1932, voted by
the Legislature, will be cancelled. -Seldovia Herald