The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-03-23
MERCER POLICY FAVORS ALASKA, GILBERT AYERS
Vice-President of Cannery Merger Discusses Pol-
 icy Regarding Alaska

That the effect of plant consoi- dation of Alaska salmon canneries has been closely studied and every possible precaution taken to insure no disadvantages to local labor and business would result, was revealed today by J. N. Gilbert, Vice-Presi- dent and General Manager of the Alaska Pacific Salmon Corporation. He was formerly general manager of the Alaska Consolidated Gamer ies, which, with the Sunny Point Packing Company, Deep Sea Sal mon Company and one or two other plants have been combined into the new concern.
 Our policy, broadly speaking, is to employ all of the Alaska labor that can be obtained both as can nery workers and fishermen, to buy on local markets wherever practi- cable, and to patronize established transportation lines in hauling sup plies for the plants and their pro- ducts southbound," MT. Gilbert said.
 Details Are Revealed
 How will the closure of any par ticular plant affect the resident population at that point, particular ly the Indian population which has been and is to large extent de- pendent on cannery employment for Q Nvelihood?" he was asked.
 Not in the slightest" he replied. "As I have stated, in arranging our policies, such matters as these were given first consideration. Our schedule, it is true, does not call for the operation of all the plants acquired. But where any plant, or plants, remain closed we are re- ducing our Oriental cannery crews at nearby plants that do operate and filling their places with Alas ka labor"
 Does that program cover fisher men, also?" he was asked. Tt as- suredly does. At any cannery not operating, the seine boats have all been transferred to other plants, and local fishermen, who are main ly Indian, will be used in their op- eration," MT. Gilbert responded.
 Tn fact our instructions to su- perintendents and foremen stress the importance of giving preference to local labor and business. We have even placed a portion of our insurance with Alaskan agents and firms Our piling, timber and box shocks are all purchased from Alaskan firms
 Sign Transport Contracts
 Realizing the Territory's needs for adequate means of transporta- . tion, and in appreciation of the fact that the commercial companies operating between Seattle and Alas ka are endeavoring to supply those needs, our company has adopted the policy of having it's own sup plies and crews transported north bound on vessels operated by the Admiral Line and the Alaska Steamship Company, and to have it's packs hauled south by the same companies.
 Recently a five-year contract for this service was signed with one Of the shipping concerns and a one-year contract with the other. We hope and expect that the lat ter contract will eventually be re- placed by another for a much long CT term.
 Tn this manner" MT. Gilbert said, "the Alaska Pacific Salmon Corporation is endeavoring to dc it's share in making and keeping the salmon packing industry Ter ritorial business and to further as much as is in it's power the de- velopment of other industries witt which it comes in contact in the conduct of it's operations"