FACTS « FABLES
Freight Rates—Wolf at Alaska’s Door” was the recently published quotation from
proceedings at the rate hearing. This accusation wasn’t really surprising. We knew in
advance the nature of charges to be expected; we feel Alaskans have listened to such
fables long enough and it is time they were given the facts.
For this purpose Dr. Henry A. Burd, Professor of Marketing at the University of
Washington, made a special trip to Alaska during October. After analyzing freight
rate-price relationships in Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks, he declared
that there is no appreciable connection between freight rates and the high cost of living
in Alaska. To bear out this statement, we invite your examination of the following data,
a reproduction in part of Dr. Buru’s report (Alaska Steamship Company’s proportion
of Anchorage and Fairbanks freight charges have been added as well as Seattle prices
from stores offering service comparable to that of Alaskan stores).
ITEM
Bacon (piece, lb.) ~
Butter
(Darigold, lb.) —
Canned Milk
(Darigold) _
Canned Soup
(Campbell)
Coffee (lb.)_
Dry Beans (lb.)
Eggs
(large, doz.)_.—
Flour (49 lbs.)
Lard (lb.)
Macaroni (lb.)
Sugar (lb.)
KETCHIKAN
Retail
Price
JUNEAU
..$0.90
- .91
. .15
_ .18
.20
. .53
.57
. .24
9/10c
4/5c
1 /2c
1-9/lOc
3/'5c
Retail
$0.90
.93
.16
.20
.23
.57
.59
.29
Freight
lc
lc
4/5c
3/5c
2-1 /2c
7/1 Cc
Retail
Price
$1.00
1.08
ANCHORAGE
Steamship Retail
Freight Portion Price
3-9/10c 2-3/5c
FAIRBANKS
SEATTLE
4-9/10c 3-1/10c
2-3/5c 1-3/TCc
.20
.25
.55
.60
.33
3-2/5c
2-2/5c
9/10c
1-4/5c
1-3/10c
$1.00
1.10
.18
.23
.27
.57
.60
.24
_* .90 4-1/lOc .84 5c * .95 7-3/10c 3-9/ICc
5.55 29-2/5c 5.75 36-7/10c
.33 1 -1 /l Cc .30 l-2/5c
.24 1-3/10c .25 1 -3/5c
.11 3/5c .11 Vi 7/10c
Bold face type indicates only revenue received isy Alcj.ta Steams* p Company.
Steamship Retail
Freight Portion Price
5-1/2c 2-3/5c.
7-3/10c 3-1 /10c
4-1/5c l-2/5c
3-1 /5c lc
5-2/5c
3-4/5c
6.50 84-1/5c 56-1 /5c
* .55 2-7/10c 1 -2/5c
.25 2-2/5c 1-3/lCc
.131/2 2-2/5c 1-3/10c
.95 12c
6.75 1.14-1/10
.55 4-1/5c
.28 3-4/5c
.14 3-4/5c
$0.85
.87
.13
.11
.18
l-4/5c
1-3/10c
3-9/10c
56-1/5c
1-2/5c
1-3/10c
1-3/lOc
.51
.52
.25
.87
4.70
.37
.19
.09
Because of the longer haul, freight rates are naturally higher to Juneau than Ketchikan,
and to Fairbanks than Anchorage, but if you will notice the prices of those items marked
with an asterisk (*) you will see that in some instances the Ketchikan prices are the same
or higher than Juneau prices and some Anchorage prices the same or higher than Fairbanks
prices. This is a definite indication that local market conditions actually play the major
role in determining prices of food. This is further borne out by a recent Territorial
Department of Labor report published in Alaska papers to the effect that for the
period June to September, of this year, Anchorage food prices rose 10% while Fairbanks
prices rose but 6%.
There are many factors which make up local market conditions such as wage and salary
levels, rentals, delivery costs, credit practices. We are not trying to cover this subject in
detail, but merely mention these items by way of explanation. However, from the data
shown, including Seattle prices, we believe you will agree that freight rates are not a
"Wolf at Alaska’s Door” and that such statements are most misleading and contribute
nothing to the solution of Alaska’s problems.
Sincerely,
“The Jolson Story”
Thanksgiving Treat
A heart stirring new film ^
Dieting the times of America*
greatest entertainer, will soar*
to the Orpheum theatre on 4
wings of magical Technical
Thanksgiving day with some t
the most glorious music eve
contained in a mot on picture
It’s “The Jolson Story,"
panorama of show businjs
through vaudeville and buries^
days in the hinterlands toJd
son's years of successive hits«
Broadway and his striking cam
in Hollywood.
In an inspired perform&nc
Larry Parks, as Jolson, aoog
into prominence as a daiiltn
new star with his uncanny dela
eation of the acting and °;"gki
of the star he portrays. Evely
Keyes scores as the romantic lea
and dances for the first time a
the screen.
Largely told in music, a an
record is set for the presenter*
of 27 hit tunes in their entire^
with rich productions like "Th
Spaniard That Blighted M
Life” and the simple "Ay
Maria,” with the Boychoir.woi
en into a grand story.-.
The pirlure will be show
Thanksgiving and Friday at63
'and 9, and on Saturday at a 231
| matinee, 6:30 and 9.
NOTICE
Clark’s Home Service «i
caught at the starting gate aid
out a horse for 10 days-butisi
the running now, offering sto
cleaning & repairing.
Clan’s Home Service
m:* ‘ k
BUILD BETTER
WITH
Q.&A L'I -T Y P; S i N C E. J8 3 b
■■■<.. , ;>' : -~
*s*:‘4r^■
INSULATING
building
BOARD
■ -:V —
..v. .-iN-iQ >'t3*
• If's Stronger
WOODFIBER DIVISION
SIMPSON LOGGING CO.
Sol«« Divisioni Simpson Industrial
1010 Whita Bldg.
Saattla, Washington