The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-08
SHOULD STUDY SALMON CANNING
 CODE.

The salmon canning industry is the most i'm portant one in the Territory. From it we get most of our revenues; from it traffic originates that helps sustain our transportation lines from It Alaska labor derives much employment and ought to have more. It exercises much, if not more influence on economic and social conditions in the Territory as any other factor Anything that affects it, necessarily effects the Territory and it's insti- tutions
 For that reason the code of fair competition now before MIRA authorities in Washington for adoption ought be closely studied by all Aaskans It ought to be carefully analysed by the labor that is affected and by all who are interested in the Territory It printed in it's entirely in Tues days edition of The Empire. It is a lengthy document but that should not deter anyone from reading it.
 Generally, it seems a long step in the right direction It recognizes that Alaskans have right to demand employment from the industry and rule 15, Article VIII provides that members of the industry operating in Alaska shall far as prac- tcable endeavor to employ bona fide Alaskan resi- dents where available" It does away with the old contract labor system with one stroke by re- curing that all contracts be made directly between employers and employees and that payment of wages must be made in the manner. It gives some advantage to local residents by requiring that the employers pay transportation charges oi
 
 and Alaska and pay them from the time they sail from the point of departure until they return there
 It is the schedule of wages that the greatest improvement in working condition is promised. The minimum rate where board and lodging not furnished is fixed at 35 cents per hour. In con- trast to this there numerous case of a l5- cent hourly rate in the past few years, and 25 cents ranked as good pay It raises the wages ot employees hired on a monthly basis
 While the code establishes 40-hour week, ex- cept in specified classes of employment, by pro- under the section this is largely nullified This probably is in the best interests of both labor and the industry The employment is seasonal Ii labor is to get sufficient returns from it to make it important it cannot stand too short a working week. The employer, too is in a position where he cannot afford to use two full crews in all de- partments just to care for short period of rush activity It would be equitable, however, if rate of overtime pay fixed in the code That in itself would do more to regulate the size Of crews used than any other method
 The sections on trade practices enunciate prin- ciples that ought to have been adopted by the industry itself years ago. They will do a great deal stabilize the industry wipe out cutthroat compe- tition and put the entire business on more profitable basis than it has known It is apparently fair to each unit giving the small, inde- pendent packer, equal rights with the larger corporations.
 It is hardly probably that the code will be adopted as it is written. It is likely to have some opposition from dissatisfied clements within the industry, and of the provisions may not be acceptable to the MIRA authorities in Washington Most of the changes will be minor The general principles and major provisions probably will have little alteration