The Alaska daily empire., 1917-01-08
yETcHrKAN AND THE MooTED FISH QUESTION


 1Forest j. Hunt in Ketchikan Progressive Mner)
 The most vital question before the citizens of this vicinity at this time. who are interested m the GGyel opment of our city and district IS the status Ol Ney cbikan as a fish market. The question Of support o opposition to the sO-called halbut bill designed Jc transfer to Alaska the American market now existing United States. has been discussed to some extent Du
 in the mind of the writer the subject is Of such mpor to this section require our closer attention lhau has been given during the excitement anu interest os political campaign There should be no penalty suffered for the honest exchange of views; Tn tacI it is what should be indulged m
 Prior to the opening e. the British Columbia port of Prince Rupert to American boats by the Canadian Order in Council Ketchikan had begun to do quite
 business in the way Of trans'Shippmg to SeatI.e 'ne fish taken by the Alaska fleet. rms was SpeeuH! ui ve-ted to Prince Rupert where u has remained ever since for the reason that good market had been brought closer to the fishermen, and they were able fish than ever before They met in person, the buy CTS for the American market who had established themselves at the terminus Ol tue "''''" rum !" cific Railway.
 As have stated, the fishermen have derived much benefit previously existing conditions ON does that convince that the passage oi thS O' VI" not further improve conditions?
 We are informed by the halbut fishermen that Canadian boats paid from lc to l5&c more per bound for their fish than the American boats, and some have been advised that it will be to their in
 erest in more ways than one, to take their supplies
 It is mot to be wondered at that those who have been subjected to the treatment previously accorded Alaskan haIbUt fishermen should view with sus piCiOn any which had the appearance or forcing former conditions upon them, and indeed, If l felt that the passage of this bill would make matters any worse for the fishermen than now l would strongly oppose it. but my reasoning is as follows, to-wt: the business interests supporting this measure cannot be benefited without corresponding Denellt to the If the Prince Rupert market is closed to American fishermen, Ketchkan is the logical point for the big fish market and the Grand Trunk Pacific will at make KetChikan the terminal Tor all bonded shipping from these waters to American ports. Tho Rupert, and there is every reason to believe that instead of receiving less than the fishermen will get the benefit 0 at least part of the discrimination which they now suier Tn the canadian port Many of the fishermen prejudiCed against the meas ure, claiming it to be purely selfish and for the Oene fit of the Cold Storage and water tront interests tO the detriment of the fishermen. All business Is prompted by selfish motives but there are two kinds 0s sefshness, one is narrow with no consideration for community interests while the -OheT s let coin the expression, community seilishness, or, what known in Seattle the Seattle Spirit Now if we all working for things and measures beneficial to our will make progress but fl we culti- yate the narrow view that the passage of this meas lre will benefit some one more than another Tn my opinion help Prince Rupert to retard the advance nent of Ketchikan. The principal business interest )f the most ardent supporters of the bill are here in <etchkan and it is hardly reasonable to suppose that hey should champion 9 move to bring the market lere for the purpose of cheapening it. The bigger payroll we can establish here the more fOurishing md prosperous will be out town. ready market to | he fishermen at good prices means increase in our lOpuaLlOn, lne OUuulnB Ol more prosperity ,ermanency and the booming of Ketchkan. Personal v my judgment in the matter is such that feel it he duty of all who are loya! to the best interests f Southeastern Alaska, and Ketchikan in particular. O doH their coats and hats, fguratvey speaking and get into the fight. Study the situation well before ou criticse, and you will join the boosters.
 It appears to me to be both un-American and un- usnesslike as well unpatriOtic to our home town, o permit condition to continue which compels us market the products of American waters, destined or American consumption, at a foreign port; Il of which passed through out own door yard This hould be a common cause. Let us Unite