The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-27
Accordingly:


 members at this very critical time ] to consider most carefully all pro- posals for increased taxes in any form, and to keep constantly in mind in the consideration of such proposals, the increases in Federal taxes already in effect and the certainty of further levies from that source;
 We urge the Legislature and it's members to keep Alaska solvent and in a position to operate it's government and all it's necessary governmental agencies within its present income, which we know can be done even if for the next two years we are obliged to curtail public expenditures and forego some of the things which we could well afford in former years and before the nation awoke to the necessity of estimating it's present financial needs in billions instead of mill lions; and to represent that the Territory's solvency and it's abtl- ity to pay as it goes cannot be maintained unless it's few indus tries and those dependent on them are also kept solvent;
 We urge the Legislature and it's members to resist every attempt and every argument, however plau- sible and seemingly meritorious to increase Territorial governmental expenses; but to resolve to reduce the cost of government, which in Alaska is already too high when we consider the few producing in- dustries and the small population served, which does not exceed that of one small sized city in any state of the union, and we insist that while it is our duty to keep the mining industry alive and ex- banding, and to resist excessive taxation, our representations here- in contained are not wholly selfish; for there is real danger not only to our existence but to the even- tual welfare and solvency of the Territory at this time from over- tapping demands of the Federal and Territorial governments;
 And finally while recognizing the fact that the present system of taxation in Alaska with it's licenS- es, and rates of taxation based mostly on gross production, is un- scientific and to a large extent in- equitable, we urge the Legislature and its members to pause before instituting a new and untried Sys- tenn in an attempt to broaden the tax structure base; for if that IS attempted without a thorough study and examination by impar- tial experts not connected with the Federal government but who are familiar with the peculiar condl- tions in the Territory, any attempt to shift even small part of the tax levies from the industries to individuals whose income is de- rived directly or indirectly from the industries, may we'll finally re- suit only in enlarging the burdens of those industries intended to be relieved,
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of these representations and this resolution be forwarded to the Hen. Ernest Gruening, Gov ernor of Alaska, to each member of the Alaska Legislature, and that copies be furnished each member of the Alaska Miners Association, and to the press. to all territorial administrative agencies and to an commercial and business organiza- tions in the Territory of Alaska.
 Passed and Adopted this 20th day of December, l940.
 JAMES s. ROBBINS,
 Vice-President.
 CHARLES J. JOHNSTON,
 Secretary.
 Operating Members
 The Association now has l29I operator members, consisting of partnerships and corporations en- gagged in mining, and TIA indi- vidual members.
 Fred B. Johnston of Fairbanks was elected President for the en- suing year, and James s. Robbins of Circle, R. E. Wyer of Cleary Hill, Charles Lewis of Livengood and J. A. Williams of Juneau were elected Vice. Presidents.
 The affairs of the Association are managed by a Board of 24 Direc- tors, with an Executive Board of five. The members of the Board of Directors are elected by ballot. The Territory is divided into six mining districts, and Directors are chosen from each district. The new Board for the year 1941 consists of the following:
 Kuskokwim- Lower Yukon GO0dnews
 Bay District
 Charles Holky, operator.
 A. A. Shonbeck, operator and businessman, Anchorage.
 Harry Donnelley, operator, Flat and Otter.
 Charles J. Johnston, manager, Goodnews Bay Mining Company,