Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-10
COOPERATION IN ALASKA.

Cooperative stores, owned and man
aged by natives, are fostered wher-
ever possible in Alaska by the United
States bureau OF education, which has
charge OF education for the natives OF
Alaska. In this way the bureau helps
the natives protect themselves from
those traders who charge exhorbitant
prices for food and clothing and pay
as little as possible for native prod
uces. In the small villageseven Iegiti-
mate marketing expenses are a heavy
burden unless there is some form OF
cooperation.
These cooperative attempts have
been a decided success. At Hyda-
burg. in southeastern Alaska, where
the United States school teacher has
general oversight OF the cooperative
stores. the natives were able. after II
months OF business. TO declare a cash
dividend OF so per cent and still have
funds available for the erection OF a
larger store building The Kiawock
Commercial company, also under ma
tive mana cement, was able after nine
months OF existence TO erect a new
store building from its surplus. At
Klukwan also the natives have organ
ICED a cooperative store.
Native stores have for several years
been n successful operation at Cape
Prince OF Wales and on St. Lawrence
and whcrc the natives buv food -
reasonable prices and are assured
an equitable exchange for their furs
and other products.
4 more recent example OF cooper
alton Is a. Aka, a remote island in
the Aieutian chain. Formerly rough
lumber cost $50 per thousand and
shingles 81 4 thousand on this island.
and clothing and food supplies were
correspOndingiy high. On the other
hand, the natives were poorly paid for
their labor. For each OF the few blue
fox skins the natives could catch they
received from the trader goods averag-
ing IS in value. Sold al public auction
in Seattle. these skins brought from
SI7IO 70 s66.5O each. according 20
quality. In April OF this year. with
the help OF Seattle merchants and Of
ficers OF the revenue cutter service.
cooperative company was organized I'M
der the direction OF the United States
public-schOol teacher. and now the ma
tives are doing their own buying and
selling with considerable advantage
10 themselves
Eskimos on the shore OF Boring sea
and the Artic ocean have until recent
IL had to market through local traders.
Now many OF them are sending by
mail packages Of fox. lynx, mink, and
hair seal TO the Alaska division OF the
bureau OF education a. Seattle. and the
government officials sell the furs for
the natives at public auction TO the
highest bidders. ..
Natives in Tatitlek cooperated in
sailing and exporting salmon during
the past season. under the instruction
o. the local government teacher. with
the result tina. they have not only
Melted 81 900 in cash. but have also
put away 10000 pounds OF smoked
salmon for winter use.
Cooperation in Alaska has been aid
Cd BY the policy OF reserving tracts Of
land for the exclusive use OF the ma
lives. on his land the natives build
I'D their own industries. safe from the
evil influence OF unprincipled white
men. Hydaburg is a reservation set
dement,: Klukwan has recently obtain
ed a similar reservation upon which
TO conduct its cooperative enterprises
and Klavock hopes to secure reserva'
ton land in the near future.