The Alaska daily empire., 1918-06-11
STATEMENT IS PRESENTED TO
 EXAMINER KENT Alaska Bureau of Seattle Chamber. of Commerce
 Gives the Shipping
 Board Ideas. ALASKA IS AFFECTED War Has Had the Tendency to CurtaiI Development
 of National Food
 Necessities.
ALASKA IS AFFECTED

A statement presented to Otis B Kent of the Federal Shipping Board by the Alaska Bureau of the Seattle Chamber of comerce regarding the Alaska situation, is as follows:
 Alaska is more seriously affected by the abnormal conditions now prevailing in the high cost of sup plies and labor than any section of our land,-a new country in the pioneer stages of development, it is dependent on imported food supplies material and labor, and any condi- ton tending to increase the cost oi these tends to curtail development
 The need of the world is metals and food. Alaska last year produced a greater value of metals than was CT value in fish products than was produced in Mritish Columbia, Orch gon, Washington and California combined. It can be conservative ly stated that the development of these great resources of Alaska have only commenced and if the further pioneer development of new prop critics and plants is not unduly bur dened by excessive costs, these in dustries are susceptible of great ex- pansion.
 Gold mining is more seriously af- fected by this abnormal condition of high cost of production than any other industry. Unable to expand in value, all increased costs have had the effect of automatically de preciating the value of gold and seriously crippling this industry in all stages of development, both pio- neer and producing. Unable to bear the increased cost of production gold mining operators, in the great majority of instances, have been 1 in very severe and trying eondi- tions for all sections dependent or this industry. This is especially true of Seward Peninsula and the great interior region of Alaska which is almost entirely dependent On SOlu llllHiuS.
 If the transportation companies operating steamers on the Alaska routes, are compelled to increase 1 tariffs, in order to meet increased costs of operation and pay a fail return on their investment, the tar 1 ifs should be so adjusted as to en- courage all pioneer development and the building of new industries. Al aska has to import all she uses and the present tariffs on inbound traf- l fic are proving heavy strain on liv- aska's great resources of minerals and fieshare of such vital need to the nation that every effort should be made to stimulate the expansion of these industries.
 1 An adequate transportation serv. and growth of the entire Territory is dependent.
 This is, however, no reason why we should acquiesce in the entrance of Canadian-owned steamers in this service. It is instead the reason why we should not permit such serv- vice, for Alaskan development being dependent on transportation it is essential that the Nation have ab- solute control, that the service may be regulated properly and such diff ferentials applied as will stimulate the growth and prosperity of the Territory. This would not be pos sible were foreign-owned vessels permitted to extend their activities in this trade. The extent to which these vessels have entered the Alas ka trade has resulted in loss of traffic to the American lines that had to be met by increased tariffs, that has resulted disastrously to the Territory. These foreign lines op- erated in connection with Canadian railroads, government subsidized, of fer facilities and accommodations which our independent lines are pn- able to mee, resulting in a loss. of traffic to the American lines that is being felt in the curtailment of service. and the increase of tariffs.
 This is problem that vitally af- fleets our Government in it's admin stration of American railroads. as the great bulk of the Alaska traf- fc is made up of products of Alas ka which find.thei market in great part in the Eastern States. The Alaska steamship lines are direct feeders to the American railroads of most important freight commodi- ties. Our Government is, therefore.