The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1920-03-03

den on anybody. The present annual license tax on ships is one dollar net registered ton but it applies only to the common carriers engaged Tn io
 cal business for hire Our bill in-
 crcaseS this to three dollars and ap- plies it on every ship of more tran twenty tons. This revenue it to b. placed in a maritime fund and IScd only for the improvement of AIasi' transportation conditions. The DlaN for it's disbursement Is the sam" which the Canadians have successful ly used for twenty years in our Alas kan waters and that is, by giving con- tracts to common carriers to main
 tain in service by definite schedu . at fixed rates on specified routes.
 ''In this way contracts can be glv- on by the territorial shipping board for regular service upon routes which are otherwise unprofitable and can adjust the service on more eco nomical basis. Many of the small plac- eS can best be served by encouraging local boats from the larger towns in Alaska and this in turn will keep the olg passenger lines on the regu;?r routes where they can maintain de- finite schedule. In this way we can secure the same splendid service to al the principal towns in Alaska that the Canadian lines have been giving to the four principal towns in southeastern Alaska. We can help build up To- cal service out of the large towns to smaller places but of course it is cer- tain other routes which are now un- profitable must be provided with di- rect service from the outside. This fund in the hands of the territorial shipping board will provide the most effectual conrol of the situation. It will enable us to keep the best ships on regular routes giving a dependable service. It will reduce costs such, as demurage and marine insurance be-
 cause the best ships will be kept out of the most dangerous waters where most of the marine losses occur. "In- Surance rates now average fifteen per cent and one American line now pays nearly million dollars in premiums each year. 1 am confident that by this means we shall stabilize conditions 90 that common carriers and the Post Office department will get together and give Alaska proper mail ser vice instead of as at present, treating the United States mails as freight with no obligation on the part of th, carrier to maintain routes or regular service. The AlaSkans who are now paying almost the entire revenue which supports the common carriers have neither the time nor money to journey to Washington to submit com plaints. Nc information can be com piled at present by any complainant which would enable proper presenta. ton of cause, however just we seek only such control of transportation facilities by fair means, in no way conflicting with any national body and always subject to review by the U. S. shipping board. think it is only fair that the people of the territory who alone pay the bills should be permitt- ed to handle their own problems. This bill will enable them to do so. It is not a novelty. We would simply increase the present license tax, make all yes selS of more than twenty tons pay it, private shipments as we'll as common carriers, and then assist the lines which have no special interest to ser ,,o to c,;ya fha torr;torx, o sot;cfo sto,,,