The Alaska daily empire., 1920-05-31
Ketchikan Paper FavOrs Jones Amendment
(Ketchikan Chronicle)


 In of the Alaskan papers appeared a note Of gladness that the Jones bill, aimed at regulating or forbdd1ng shipping to ports of the Territory by Canadian vessels of material which originated iil American shipping points and which had travelled part way by Canadian rail As the Chronicle views the situation, it unfortunate that Congress could not see the desirabiy of the legislation in question: Tor It would have tended to have protected fostered American interests and would have done much to build up Alaska
 According to the terms Of the Jones bill it would have been impossible for anyone shipping goods from Chicago for instance, route them over the Canad- ian railroads to Vancouver or Prince Rupert and then have them transferred to Ketchikan by Canad- ian bottoms. At first glance, it might be supposed that such law would put the Canadian steamship lines out of busness that would remove com oe- ton and therefore leave Alaska more a the mercy of the American steamship lines than they are now But such is not the case On the other hand, it would have the effect of giving the American steam snip lines competition with which they would not only have to meet but which the wholesale estab- lishments of Seattle and other Pacific ports would have to aid in meeting by cutting their prices
 If the Jones bill had become law it would cut off great tonnage from the Canadian railroads and from their steamships It would force them to a position of seeking business, and in seeking it they would be compelled to deal with Ketchikan It would result in Ketchikan getting a ferry service to Prince Rupert, run by American boats which if necessary, could be financed right in Ketchkan With the result that Ketchikan would have ter minal rates and would be able to land it's freight rom the East just as chcapy as do the people of Seattle
 It would result in the establishment of wholesale houses here that compete nicely in all lines with those or Seattle It would mean that Ketchikan would be the distributing point from which the bulk ot the Alaska business would be handled It would mean that Ketchikan would become the unquestioned fish market of the Pacific Coast and that Prince Rupert or any other Canadian port could never com pete It would mean that every merchant in town would get part of that outfitting business which is now Soin gto Prince Rupert.
 And while it would be the making of a great city in ketchikan, it would also be beneficial to every other town in the Territory. American yes Sels coming to Ketchikan and discharging large car goes from Seattle, they will always do would be glad to have the additional business of hauline any freight that might be going North from here Ana 1T they did not see fit to do. they could be forced to it.
 No, instead of being benefit, the killing of the Jones bill unfortunate for Alaska It will be passed some time if not now, for American egis lators some day will be able to the light suffic- ienly to look to their interests instead of per hitting lobbyists of the Canadian lines to lead them astray In fact, effort should be made to secure the re-inseron of the Jones amendment when the matter goes to the conference committee. IL is late but not too late to take up the matter