The Nome nugget., 1920-07-10


 elasticity to meet them. I ,. The total freight carried yearly by the American lines is approximately half the total cargo space, revealing 1 the extert of the econor1ic loss occa- l stoned by the traffic peaks. 1. The service is at times vcry if- regular due to the nature of the traf- ! fc handled and lack of coordination of ! sailing between 4llc two companies. ). Regular. and the best possible ] service to all districts of .Nlasi;I, c.tH- | not be given by existing companies under their present methods and bur- | dens of operation.
 6. The Post Ofice Department is ! not functioning and cannot function to meet the needs of Alaska under tn, | existing organization of transportation facilities
 [. The combined control of land and | water transportation facilities pre- ! cludes the most efficient supervision ! and regulation of either. and the fur | ther alliance with mining and smelt- | ing interests produces a psychological ! situation injurious to Alaskan devel- ! opment and consequently to traffic ex- pansion.
 B. Canadian competition to south | eastern Alaska is a serious factor in | the development of an adequate Amer ] ican service. Southeastern Alaska | traffic should help support the entire | Alaska transportation system. The portion of that traffic going to the Ca- | nadian line cripples to that extent l comprehensive transportation scheme ! for the entire Territory
 The Committee is unanimous in the 1 conclusion that the two independent steamship lines. as at present organ | ized cannot solve the transportation \ problem of Alaska. It therefore re- | comments
 |. That an fort he made to consol- | idate under proper safeguards. exist ' lIlB AultIltuI iIliNS liW't oi s'''''''''N | therefor. one purely ocean transportd- tion company. as the quickest and sur
 est method to reduce existing ocean | freight rates and to meet other trans porta tion necessities.
 ?. That the Shipping Board he re- quested to at once begin an inquiry ! into all elements entering into tho | reasonableness of present ocean l freight rates, to the end that the Com- mittec's first recommendation failirg. l some measure of relief may. if poss!- l ble. he secured by an adequate rcduc-
 ton In rates.
 3 That in case it should develop that the Shipping Bill recently passed does not adequately protect American | e 2 stwise lines from Canadian cnmpe- titors. such protection he secured hy
 further legislation.
 |. That the Post Office Department be requested to assist in every manner | permitted by existing laws or by al | ultlbldl lfSISl''Nl'l' III PioNi'iho ''' adequate transportation service for AL ! aska, which shall permit of the reas- onable development of that Territory.
 ,. That. if one line be substituted for the two existing American lines ! the vessel routes and sailings be en- tirely rearranged by and with the co-
 operation of the Shipping Board and
 Post nfiiee Department, to the end
 that all sections of Alaska may receive
 reasonable transportation and mail
 service.
 i. That in case substitution of
 one line for the two existing Ame.'i-
 can lines be accomplished. the ship ping Board allocate vessels for limited periods to the residual line to enable
 it to meet he peak traffic loads and
 to preclue the maintenance throughout
 the year of an excess tonnage.
 [. That in ease the substitution Of
 one line be made, as above outlined.
 strict supervision of all rates and rate
 increases shall at all times he main
 tained by the United States Shipping
 Board. that all benefits from such con-
 solidation shall at all times be secured to the people of Alaska through re-
 duced freight rates and the mainten ance of req asonab1e service.
 &. That pending the establishment
 of an improved service, the cannery
 and other private fishing vessels op-
 erating to ports off the main routes
 of travel be authorized and encouraged
 to carry passengers and freight for the public to such ports not regularly
 served by common carrier: also that upon the establishment of q common carrier service to any" port the au- , tho ity of the cannery vessels to carry