The Nome nugget., 1940-08-09
AIaska's Newly Formed Retail Merchants Assn.
By Howard Lyng

Territorial wide, embracing ev- cry city and community from Ketchikan to KotZebue. I have been wondering, since becoming informed of its inception, why it has taken so long to perfect an organization of this type.
 While the original precept of democratic government contem- plates legislative enactments bas ed on the greatest good for the greatest number, the fact re- mains that heretofore most of the pressure brought to bear on the Alaska Legislature has been brought about by paid lobbyists, petitions and telegrams, at the instigation of minority groups. It is a rather remarkable thing, at least it was to me at the last session of the Legislature, that on my desk each morning was stack of 40 to 50 telegrams, peti- tions and letters all addressed to me as Speaker of the House and all coming from handful of these highly organized minority groups. This procedure was re- peated on bill after bill
 All these communications are read by the Clerk of the House for the benefit of the members and placed in the record of the days journal, and have con- siderable influence on the man. ner in which the vote goes, for there are always some who mis- takenly accept the activities of these minority groups as the voice of the people back home. I recite the foregoing merely to accentuate the part that organiz- ed groups play in the writing of our laws, and as a prelude to an explanation of what this latest or ganization entails.
 There is however specific difference between the Alaska Retail Mrchants Association and these so-called minority groups. These latter only become vocal and vociferous during legislative sessions, and then only on be- half of their particular pet leg iSlatiVe enactments. Between SeS- sions they remain for the most part, dormant and quiescent, gird ing themselves for the onslaught when the next Legislature meets. The Alaska Retail Merchants As sociation on the other hands rep resents all business throughout the Territory all clasSifications of professional and commercial employment-and is dedicated to a policy of sane and logical de- velopment of our Territory. It is step in the right direction and fills a long-felt need. This Association has formulated ten point program which constitutes their platform and reason for being-it is clear, inciSiVe and to the point. It embraces in brief form and plain language a com plete program looking toward the economic and social better men of the Territory-here it is:
 q. Every Alaskan has a right to make an honest living.
 "2. We are opposed to the ris- ing tide of Federal and Territor- ial competition in private busi- ness. It kills jobs. It stiles per sonal initiative and Alaska's de- velopment. Keep Government out of private business.
 ''3. The proposed 8%o gross gold tax is unsound.
 A. We are opposed to Secre- tary of the Interior Ickes' plan of dumping European refugees into the Territory. Refugees furnish ed a great part of the Fifth Col umn in Norway, Denmark and Belgium.
 "5. Priority for Alaskans in Al askan employment. This is a bet ter way to increase Alaska's pop i ulation than with European re- fugees.
 "6. We do not favor the Terri tory going into the liquor busi- ness. To do so will jeopardize ornn nn0 in +ov reUap,,a opJ ,,,i11