The Nome nugget., 1902-07-19
AlASkA'S TRADE AID COMMERCE.

By order of the treasury department a record hereafter will be kept of Aaska's trade and com merce. That is to say that the manests of all yes sels sailing from ports in the States or elsewhere to Alaskan ports must show the amount and value of their cargoes On the other hand all vessels sailing from Alaska ports must show the same record.
 In this way it will be possible to obtain accurate data concerning Alaskan exports and imports, some thing that has hitherto been impossible. These figures will be surprising when published and they will do much to direc. renewed attention to Alaska for if you interest mans tor naton's) pocket you have practically attained your end in whatever line of effort onemay happen to be engaged.
 We notice; According to statistics recently published the Pars yeoast. that during the past year the United Stata sold to Cuba domes tic goods to the value of $25, 100000. During the same period the exports from Seattle alone to Alaskan points reached approximately the figure. Of the ex- > ports to Cuba, substantially one-half carried in American vessels. the rest going in foreign ships. All the trade with Alaska is carried in American sels the largest fleet of steam vessels owned by American citizens the Pacific coast being engaged ill this trade and all the profits being disbursed in American ports.
 It must be borne in mind that Cuba does a large share of her trading in Europe but all of Alaska trade goes to the United State~ In the of Cuba the balance is heavily against the United states, which buys very much more than it sells Alaska pays for what she buys largely in gold taken out of the ground, which is yearly added to the sum total of the gold in the United States strengthening the finances of the country immeasurably, to the sub stantial benefit of every industry in the United States. From every standpoint the trade of Alaska is far more valuable to the people of the United States than is the trade Of Cuba.
 For months last winter and last spring the Con gress of the United States and nearly all the news papers engaged in discussing the question of passing legislation designed to encourage industries in Cuba by relieving Cuban products of taxation in our ports. The main commercial argument was the advantage to trade by of the additional pros perity which will follow lowered duties.
 Yet no voice was raised in Congress for the repeal of the heavy special and wholly unjust taxation which has been imposed upon the people of Alaska, ,,etardng development and crppling business. Every additional stamp that is added to mill in an Alaskan mine has to pay special license tax. Every passenger who travels from one Alaskan port to an- other is taxed, or, at least, the vessel which he travels IS compelled to pay special license tax for the privilege of carrying him. Every man who seek, to open store other comntercel enterprise in thc district is compelled to Eay special license tax for the privilege. And not one Of these taxes is levied or collected anywhere within the confines of tine United States, save in Alaska alone; and the pro ceeds of taxation iiapounded into the federal treasury, save the portion which is given to very few municipal corporations in he district.
 Thoegh We have asked often, we have not even delegate, with tie privilege Of representing us by voice, but Tot by vote, on the floor of the house
 Alaska yearly covers into the treasury of tht United States handsome surplus, for treasury re ports will show that disbursements by tbc fedora government in Alaska are far less than it's receipt What special claim has Cuba. or Porto Rico or th, Philippines for consideration at the hands of Con gross which does not apply with far greater force t the 65,O00 American citizens who have their home in Alaska Why should the Cubans be given spe eial exemptions from customs house taxation, at tn expense of the federal treasury. while the people Alaska are compelled to pay special extraordnar and unprecedented taxes for the mere privilege coming to tho district and developing it's resources