Douglas Island news., 1906-01-17

received from J. E. Pharo, assistant general manager of the Pacific Coast S.. s. Co.,, which stated that not having had previous correspondence in regard to rates, he failed to comprehend the import of the telegram. The Alaska $. s. Go. had failed to answer, except that Mr. Smith, local agent for the company had received wire asking for more information. The report was laid on the table, and the committee is charged.
 The Committee appointed to draft resolutions to be sent to other towns in Alaska and cities on the Pacific Coast reported set of resolutions, which were taken up by sections, amended and adopted.
 They are as follows:
 WHEREAS: The Alaska s. s. Go. and the Pacific Coast s. s. Co. have ceased to be ecompetitors, but are now com bination, whose principal object at the present time seems to be the eXaction of an all-together unwarranted and ex- tortionate increase in freight rates, from the small shippers especially, by an illegal discrimination in favor of the large oues as against the small, to the amount of an increase of from 20 to 30 per cent. over and above hereto fore existing charges. And
 WHEREAS: We believe, that the whole system of relating is vicious, illegal and unjust; and further, that the freight charges paid by Alaska mer- chants during the past year were more than amply sufficient to make the carrying trade of Southeastern Alaska a very profitable one to steamship own CTS concerned therein. Therefore, be it
 RESOLVED: That we the Merchants and Shippers here assembled, form ourselves into the Alaska Shippers Protective League" and the object of this League shall be as follows:
 FIRST: To demand the abolition of all rebating.
 SECOND: To refuse to sign contract with any steamship company except upon the basis, of at least, flat rate of 20 per cent. less than the tariff rate of 1905. or its equivalent
 THIRD: That we will, by all means in our power, encourage, and support competing lines, and further, use every endeavor to aid the law, in putting stop to what we believe to be unjust discrimination, and the enforcement of the interstate commerce law in this District. And it is further hereby
 RESOLVED: That a copy of these reso- lutions be sent to every Chamber of Commerce in Southeastern Alaska, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham, asking their co-opera- tion.
 The Committee on Cable Connection for Douglas reported progress and was continued.
 A motion was made, seconded, and carried, that committee of three be appointed to draft resolutions, to be forwarded to the Judge of the U. s. district court, division No. l, asking that he investigate the rebate system now practiced by the steamship com panies operating in Southeastern Alas ka, and if he finds the facts justify such action, that he be asked to call special grand jury together to further investigate the natter The chair ap- pointed Messra. Stubbins, Henson and Hopp as such committee.
 The Chamber then adjourned to meet on Tuesday evening, Jan. 23d, at 8:30 o'clock.
 The membership of this organization includes nearly all the business men of Douglas, and they are terribly in earnest in the matter of freight charges, especially with regard to the discrimination which compels one merchant to pay 50 per cent. more than his neighbor.
 The body of John Martin, who was