The Alaska daily empire., 1917-05-16

l Sible to secure competitive fish buyer. | from Prince Rupert and Seattle if W, D are successful in having the fleet make Juneau their headquarters. At the pres ent time. there is only one fish buyer stationed here and he reports that his prices are made from Seattle and cer- tain limit placed upon the amount oi - fish he can buy. Therefore. there is ne competition.
 . Fishermen have informed your com mittee that they are required to pay , $500 ton for ice and s5.25 a barrel , for bait in Juneau. as against $500 a ton for ice and $500 a barrel for bait al Petersburg. Wrangell and Ketchi- kan. The three latter places provide a free hoist while fishermen unloading at Juneau must pay for hoisting their fish from the boat.
 Since our last meeting. MT. Shattuck , has arranged with the National Inde- pendent Fisheries Co, for two-year lease on building to be erected on the Alaska Supply Cos wharf. which will be 50 by co feet. and an additional space for storage of 150 tons of ice. These people will install an electric hoist and other conveniences and will
 
 have been advised that ice can be se- cured for s1.50 a ton on this wharf and that these people expect to fur nish ice to the fishermen at a price not to exceed s300 a ton and as much less as it is possible to furnish the ice. MT Britt received a telegram during the week from q fisherman who owns one of the largest fishing boats in this water and is making Petersburg his headquarters that if We secured the buyers, ali the fishermen would be with us.
 We have ascertained that it is possi ble to get additional warehouses built for the accommodation of the fishermen and fish buyers, and we are also advised that there is some talk of $l00.000 be- ing invested in q freezing plant at this point. which no doubt can be secured if these parties have proper encourage ment. A suggestion has been made that the City rent from the present cold storage plant a room for the pur- pose of freezing herring for bait and handle this bait at a price that will just cover expenses. It was suggested that the present wharf crew would have charge of this enterprise, as the two properties are adjoining. and would be no inconvenience to the fishermen in finding the proper persons to apply to when in need of bait.
 Our investigations have revealed the fact that there are two different con cerns figuring on equipment for han ding marine reapirs, one concern has now begun the actual construction of the ways, which they claim will be ade- quate for the present: in fact. they will expect to repair any of the fishing fleet now engaged in the business and will be able to construct vessels up to 10C tons capacity. They are providing slid ing ways to accommodate vessels to be laid up for the winter and will provide a gridiron and furnish portion of the shop buildings for the free use of the boat owners desiring to do their own repairing. This concern expects to equip their plant with wood and iron working machinery. and will be pre- pared to handle anything in that line
 The Union Iron Works have leased GOO feet of the waterfront property be- tween the Standard Oil Company's dock : and the Alaska-Juneau Company dock : and expect to put in suitable ways fol ) handling all kinds of marine repairs. } The shop equipment in the city is ir , excellent condition. and there is no req , son why this feature of the fishing problem cannot be accomplished to the entire satisfaction of the fishermen. Our investigation covered the possibil- ity of getting adequate yarding for lay ing the boats up. and we find that the Young Wharf now leased by the Cas- -l tipaaI Trapcport a tion hn h. ) tained for $100 a month on a lease, witt option to buy at stipulated sum. It is estimated that the cost for build ing two floats in connection with this 1, property will cost approximately s2.- 900 and would accommodate from 35 tc 40 boats of the fishing fleet This, ir addition to other locations available al 5 this time. would furnish ample accom- 3 modation for 75 to 100 boats of the l size generally in use in this section oi Alaska by the fishermen.
 Your committee have interviewed vari-
 ous business men relative to the
 incorporation of company to foster the fishing industry. and in every case
 it seems to be the unanimous opinion that the city government should handl, this matter. the property we ar, a recommending adJOlnS the C1ty Nhar
 property and the details of management
 could be carried on by this department
 of the City without any apprecabl.
 added expense. If it were possible t,
 form a corporation. the burden of ex a pense would fall on a few who are abl, = to make regular donations, as 1t woult z not be a paying investment for an in
 dividual company. The entire commun
 ity would reap the benefit and we, there :. fore feel that the community shoul, ? bear the burden of expense. If the bus :, mess was properly handled, the adde, . revenue for wharfage over our Cit.
 Dock would more than compensate tn
 City for the expense incurred in keep
 ing the float for the free landing o
 fishing boats. We. therefore, recon
 ment and urge the Juneau Credit Men
 Association to petition the city counci . to take this matter in hand and, if nee
 essary. have them appoint a specia
 committee of their members. or form
 port commission. for the purpose of fos
 tering the fishing industry. and if the
 apply at this time. the council woul 1 he Drpparcd fbair