The Wrangell sentinel., 1934-01-26


the operators only and there will be
little increase in the purchasing
power of the rank and file of the
people,"
Codes Stabilize Fisheries
The delegate discussed the codes
designed to include the fishing in
dustry of Alaska. He attended
quite number of hearings or con-
ferences with respect to these codes.
While he does not anticipate that
the adoption of the codes will in
crease materially the number of
people employed in the industry, he
is convinced that the adoption and
enforcement of proper codes will
stabilize the industry, will permit
the sale of fish products at a fair
price, and will materially increase
the wages or other compensation
paid to the fishermen and others en-
gagged in the fishing industry.
Advocates Fishing Unions
There is one specific recommen-
dation that | wish to make in con-
nection with the adoption OF this
code, said the delegate, land this
recommendation extends also to the
other great industries in Alaska, as
we'll as the fishing industry. think
it highly advisable that the people
engaged in the fishing industry
should organize for the better pro-
lection of their just rights. Here
in the United States, under the
codes, it has been found vitality ne
cessary that the workers of every
great industry be organized and
thus obtain the power of collective
bargaining and representation, -"
The advantages of having such
an organization are obvious. 1t is
not that the employees wish to Sc
cure more than their fair share of
the profits or that they wish to dis
rupt the industry, but it is difficult
for them to make their wishes
known or to secure an adequate
nearing or representation unless
they have an organization, In nay
opinion, this organization should
include, il possible, every man and
woman who is employed in any
manner in the fishing industry. Il
realize that it will be difficult TO
form such an organization and al
forwards to maintain 1t, but l am
tfi!rmly convinced that the results
obtained will well be worth the
trouble. In particular | believe the
existence of such a comprehensive
organization covering the fisheries
Of Alaska waold go far toward Sc
curing employment in the fishing
industry, and would tend to reduce
the number of people who are
brought from the States TO work in
the canneries.
"A dezen small separate unions in
the various localities will not be
able to do very much in this direc-
tion, but II there is one organiza-
tion covering all of Alaska, be-
lieve it will do much for the well
fare of the people of Alaska, par
ticulagly under the present econ
omy whereby the various industries
are trying to work out, with the as
sistance, of the Government, codes
of fair eomnetition.
Mr.. Dimond expressed his disap-
proVal of the renewal of the limita-
ton on the length of boats engaged
in purse SEEMING in various parts of
Alaska and said that the Commits
sioner of Fisheries had informed
him that he did not contemplate
changing the Fisheries regulations
in this respect.
Delegate Opposes Traps
The delegate reiterated his belief
that no cannery should be permit
ted more than one trap to the line
and that the number of traps should
be materially reduced until at the
expiration of four or five years
thev would all he pone