The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-11
HEARINGS IN ALASKA.

Alaska produces some 60 per cent of the canned salmon of the world and about the same percentage of the fresh and frozen salmon. Yet the code of fair competition that is about to be adopted for the industry born in Seattle and San Francisco, had it's first hearing in San Francisco, later discussion in Seattle and was finally referred to Washington MIRA authorities without seeing the light of day in Alaska. It is admittedly step substantial one, too in the right direction but there are a number of things about it that ought to be changed to make it fair and equitable to Alaskans and Alaska labor. If the system is con tinued it is to be hoped that these will be cor rected by next season
 Now comes word that two other branches of the fisheries industry proposed codes and that hearings on them will be held outside of Alaska, probably in Seattle. They are the herring packing and reduction industry and the halibut industry. The herring industry is wholly Alaskan. No part of it is located anywhere else the Pacific Coast All of the fish are taken in Alaska waters and all of them are packed in some form or reduced to oil and meal in Alaskan communities The halibut fishery is almost as indigenous to Alaska as the herring It is true that most of the fish are solo in other markets notably in Prince Rupert ana Seattle but most of the fish are taken from the banks that lie close to Alaska ande are largely in territorial waters.
 Like in the salmon fishery thousands of Aaskans AA4S-- depend on them for a large part of their uade' and the Territory draws much of it's revenue from them Alaskans are more vitally interested m how these industries are operated than anyone eSe They are less able to travel long distances to acVeho meetues and hearings than anyone else connected with them It is unfair, unjust and unetmcai Vo deny them chance for adequate representation at hearings yet that is the result Of holding them outside of the Territory.
 One of the most important issues in the salmon fisbing and hacking industry has not yet been definitely settled. The code which seems on lhe verge of approval gives the Code Authority SIX waeks within which to recommend "msnimum comuensationv which is another way of saying fixing a minimum price for fish, for fishermen IS that too to be settled without hearing III the Territory? Apparently since the code specllicaliy provides that the Code Authoritys recommenoa- tions shall be made direct to the Admmstratof in Washington and when he has approved them they shall become effective as an integral part o the code.
 The Code Authority is composed solely of fepre- sentatives of the industry that is to say oi Saon hackers Minimum compensation for fishermen tha' n;oht he agreeable to them might in all probability Ina wholly unacceptable to the fishermen. How Is that to he determined unless the men engaged III fishing are given opportunity to express Iheiii- selyesp They cannot do it in Seattle of oai Francisco or Washington If there are no hearings in Alaska thev are automatically barred lfoh chance to present evidence on ther own oeiaii'
 Of course we do not think the Natlonai HeeoVeis Administration is Intentionally unjust uhian oi
 oetbical or designedly arranges hearings on these
 odas so that Alaskans cannot be represented Il is without knowledge of conditions affecting the industries covered and the peculiar interest Aiaska have in them It is for us, through Champers ol Commerce and similar agencies to bring 1hese matters forcibly to their attention and insist upoi hearings here before any final action shall be taken