The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1918-05-24

llOltSLS NsHlUSJ cNlSIluS IttlSHI and passenger rates were made by Seward bgsineSs men today to Otis B ....cnt, attorney examiner for the Unit ed States Shipping Board The hearing was short but to the point and was held in tue Van Glider building hall The following steamship men are ac- companying Mir. Kegt on. his northern trip all being aboard the Alameda: R. W, Baxter Vice-.Preident of the Alas ka Steamship Co.,, J. H. Bunch, gen eral freight and passenger agent of the Alaska Steamship Co.,, J. F.DayldA son, travelling freight and passenger agent and attorney F.. C. LucCock, of the same company; C. l.. Five, general freight and passenger agent, and Judge GrosScup, of the Pacific Steam ship Company.
 llr. Kent, a young man, keen and most business like, opened the hearing ny saying that the Shipping Board de- sired to learn first hand and determine if there was any foundation for pro- tests of unjust and unreasonable rates. Mr. Kent stated that complaints had been made to Washington that the steamship companies ere pRkng excessive profits but the Shipping Board had investigated the books of the companies at Seattle and had found that they were making less than 6 percent per annum on the capital invested. MT Kent stated that these earnings were not excessive and stated this fact without prejudice.
 "The shipping board wants to de- termine is some commodities have a nigh rate," said Mr. Kent, and "others have low rate and find out if the av- craze rate is reasonable. The Shipp- ing board wants to ascertain if certain ates are unreasonably high to offset rates unreasonable low and if so to re- tlfy the rates. l am glad to hear all complaints of citizens in Seward.
 T. w. Hawkins, of Brown & Flaw hns, stated that there were no com plaints on rates to be made except that on potatoes, merchants not pay ing a rate of one ton and half for one ton. Tn other words potatoes are be ing shipped north at spacerateS instead Of weight. Mir. Hawkins also stated that the rate from Seward to the west ward was on an average of $l5 per ton while the rate from Seattle to westward points was $20 per ton. He asked for an adjustment.
 The passenger rates between Valdez and Latouche, distance of S7 miles and the rates between Latouche and Seward, distance of 65 miles, was protested by Mir. Hawkins, he showing that the greater distance called for the low rate of $4 and $5 while the short passenger haul, Latouche to Sew ard was $S and $7. MT. Kent stated that the matters referred to would be givn careful attention and due consid- ration.
 Mr. Baxter, commenting on the freight rate from Seward to the west ward stated that the Dora lost $34,0CO last year and would be operated at a loss this year, indicating that the boat would possibly be discontinued ofter this year.
 II. o. Roberts, local manager of the San Juan Fishing & Canning Company discussed throughIy the fishing freight situation in Seward, and only lack of space prevents bringing this matter out in detail as the fishing industry is a vital one to Seward. MT. Roberts stated that one of the difficult matters confronting the fishing industry at Seward was inability to secure dis tillate, owing to lank of tankers or even to the securing of proper quan- tity of drums. Freighters go to La touche, but having no freighter fur ther west, turn back and do not come to Seward. Mir. Roberts stated that it took at least one month to ship empty drums south and have them returned filled. ,.
 MT. Kent asked for a suggestion as to the remedy and Mir. Roberts stated that an oil station was wanted here.
 Cold storage space on steamers was also cited as lacking MT. Roberts stat ing that one small boat would bring to the San Juan plant sufficient fresh -.,..-ps-sS.~ -.srEr.. tr