The Nome nugget., 1939-07-19
Chamber Holds Noon Luncheon
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 here in the place of L. W. Baker, our assistant General Manager and Traffic Manager who has had to go to Washington in connec- ton with the transportation of materials and supplies for the proposed naval aviation bases at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. He promised me that he would be here later on. The occasion for this visit is the change in the shipping picture. We were con- fronted by a split or division of the freight business of Seward Peninsula and we did not feel that the total tonnage was suf- 1 ficient to stand such division without serious curtailment of i the service. This year we have scheduled seven sailings consist ing of five passenger and freight steamers and explosives carriers. The total freight that these sev- en ships will handle could be con veniently handled by three sail ings of our Sutherland at a tre- mendous saving in operating ex- penSes = that would not give Nome and Seward Peninsula a balanced service, both frieght and passenger, which is most necessary for the welfare of the whole community. We are going through with out present sched- ule for this year but the pas senger Sailings cannot be contin- ued indefinitely as they do not pay their own way and lean on the total annual revenue to sup port them. Summing it all up it's the total freight that makes the balanced Service possible This is true in almost every transportation system outside of planes, ferries or busses. The Northwestern Alaska Chamber of Commerce of Nome should think seriously of the conse- quences of ocean competition that beats down on an establish ed service. Who profits by a cheapening of any service? No one. You get just what you pay for. There used to be a saying in transportation circles that sound ed like you get all the traffic will bear" Why the use of such bright phrases when we all know that all regular transportation companies are accountable to such governmental regulating bodies as the Interstate Commerce Com mission and the United States Maritime Commission and last but not least-the income tax-aIll of which levels all hopes of un- due profits. Let us be fair with each other. If we have given sat iSfactory service both passenger and freight throughout the years ! at reasonable rates, give us your support. If we have failed in any particular let us know how we can correct our defect and I am sure that you will all agree that the results will be all in your favor"
 Territorial Attorney General Hon. James s. Truitt in answer to the invitation extended him by the Chairman referred to the remarks made by MT. Loerpabel that he was glad that he came back. He asked the queston: "Who does not come back to AL aska? They all come back. The nameless mountains, the superb scenery, the alluring hills and plains beckon and beckon all to return to Alaska. The only thing that will change that practice is to decide to stay here perman- ently."
 Referring to the Chamber of Commerce work MT. Truitt said that all Chambers of Commerce are of a constructive nature and their work is productive of much good for the section in which they operate. The Alaska Cham bers of Cofmerce have done a whole lot for Alaska but he strongly expressed his dislike of | the DOlicv of tho Ch o,,ob baY of