The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-26

might nave grOuch which was responsible for her sudden reform movements.
 Foreign Shipping.
 The speaker then went into the fundamentals on the law excluding foreign shipping from Alaska. He said that the law was designed to aid in moving the congestion of freight in eastern waters and on the Lakes and Gulf states, to util- ize mostly foreign tramp ships, and not for vessels plying on regular schedules the same as prevails in Alaska. He said that the fact must not be overlooked that the United States was trying to build up mer- chant marine; that before the war it cost the United States double what it cost to build ships on the Clyde; that all materials used in American ships built by American Workmen cost more than paid for eigners; that American seamen were paid better wages; that American vessels were compelled to carry more
 
 case of an American line and a Ca nadian line running to Alaska, but if the law was extended to include Alaska, it would be a case of Ca- nadian line only because the Amer ican ships could not compete on equal terms, and finally Japanese ships since the alter could drive the Canadians out of business, ow- ing to their cheaper methods of construction and operation. He al- so pointed out that American ves- sells must be independent of rail- ways, while Canadian railways can operate vessels, and thus can lose money on their ship haul in order to get the rail haul on the busi- ness.
 Present Service Bad.
 The speaker said personally he thought the present service to Alas ka by the American boats, punching their sailings was rotten, and that when hearings would be held here by the shipping board, Alaskans should give them proof and facts, showing how the service could be improved.
 "I want to see Americans remain in the business" said the speaker. "and travel on American ships manned by Americans over which the American flag is flying. but if, the steamboat managers cannot get together and give us a better serv- ice, then we ought to compel them to do so or else put them in charge of the Shipping Board and see that they do give us the serv ice required
 Whether the present rates were exhorbitant, as claimed, the Speak CT said he did not know, but 1t was matter that could be determined and that the rate sought to be based on what was fair to the steamers and to the public.
 Delegate Contest.
 MT. Hellenthal then went into the Delegateship contest, saying that it was a clear case of an effort to vio- late the Alaska law passed by the legislature providing the Australt- an ballot system to Alaska.
 The said the law provided that official ballots must be used, and in such precincts as official ballots are not received because of dis tance or neglect of some officials there is a clause that the Judges of election must certify to that fact before a notary of the public and send it in with the returns. He said that no such affidavit accompanied the returns for the precincts to the westward and were thrown out by Judge Jennings, which was clearly the intent of the law. He point ed out that there already had been many charges of election frauds in Alaska which called the new law in to existence, and that either the law must be upheld, or else it was a dead letter. He said as a matter of fact the official ballots and reg ister and other supplies were sent to the precincts in question, where most of the voters were Natives who could not read nor write, and that all of the supplies were used with the exception of the official bal lots. The speaker said that all Judge Wickersham needed to do was to get depositions from the cleo tion judges for his contest at Wash ington, to show that no fraud was practiced, but neither he nor his agents had done so because they couldn't do it.
 In conclusion the speaker made an earnest appeal for honesty of purpose in keeping the law both of the Australian ballot and primary. and said he believed that Sulzer should be returned to Congress.
 Praise S11der.
 Judge Winn said Sulzer did more in his short time at Washington than Wickersham did in his eight years there," said the speaker, "but I say SulZer accOmplished more in