The Cordova daily times., 1918-03-19

anu duJuSleu dS IdpIuly dS Oah oC SN pected.
 All of which leads to the considera- ton. of a detail, one of the million and one details. which as yet has not come before the shipping board for decision. The correct presentation of facts is all that is neded to guide the shipping board to a correct decision.
 The detail in question pertains to Alaska. The problem is to utilize every cubic foot of tonnage of vessels that are necessary in the Alaska trade.
 The prime war demands on Alaska are two: It must produce fish as a food supply to it's capacity and with out waste: and it must produce coal for fuel During the past month it was announced that the food control bu- reau would take over the control of the fish canning industry. The ques- tion of getting the maximum of fish production with the minimum of waste, therefore, is settled. AS for the second demand, it is taken for granted that the government will push it's iron trail to completion this sum- mer into the rich Alaskan coal fields
 There remains to be decided only the question of providing the maxi mum of tonnage requirements and of controlling transportation so that there will be a minimum of tonnage waste. This is the Alpha and Omega of the shipping boards poucy.
 Here are the facts in the case: Last years the steamship companies serY- ing Alaska furnished adequate ton mage to transport the record break ing fish cannery output to the United States. Every returning vessel arrived with her holds filled to capacity, and yet the big catch was moved prompt ly Space was Hooverized
 But on the voyage northward there was a different story to tell These vessels could not obtain enough north bound cargo to fill their holds Space went to waste; precious space worth millions of dollars to the government and to the cause of humanity in this world war.
 All the time that this valuable ton mage on the northbound voyages was going to waste the Alaska railroad commission was using the government transport Crook and two barges to transport railroad supplies to Anchor age, and these were returning on each south-bound trip empty. This was putting the reverse English on the policy of tonnage conservation with q vengeance.
 However, the war had just started last summer; the big work before the shipping board had just begun, policies were just beginning to take shape, so there can be no criticism because, after all, this was merely a detail in the tremendous task of adjustment and control which confronted the board at that time. No one expected the board to get around to considering the Crook before the construction sea son ended last year.
 But before the season opens this year it is expected that the subject of Alaska transportation will come up for dehision, and that neither the Crook nor any other government yes sel will be permitted to enter the Alaskan trade. The facts in the case are all that are necessary to show the wastefulness of such a policy
 The same steamships that brought back the record fish pack last year
 will be used this coming season. The! will furnish adequate tonnage to mee every requirement.. If permitted t'
 carry government railroad supplies
 to Alaska their holds will be filled ol the north-bound voyages also. Ton l mage waste will be reduced to tn minimum.
 Incidentally, the privately owne steamships have government mail COT tracts which they have to fulfill. B' [ cause of this and because of the soutl
 bound fish pack, it is essential fc
 tban mt to curfail their service. Wit