The Wrangell sentinel., 1940-08-30
Admiral Gregory Says Territorial Control Not
 Feasible In Alaska

In this article. released by Gov ernor Ernest Gruening regarding the Alaska liquor industry. Rear Admiral L. E. Gregory, U $. N. Rtd. Chairman of the Washington State Liquor Control Board, des- cribes the operations of the state monopoly in that State and gives his opinion as to the praetieability of putting 1t into effect in the Ter ritory. Admiral Gregory has been Chairman of the Washington Board since 1t was created six and one half years ago, the only individual in the United States holding such a position for such a record time.
 Admiral Gregory will be remem- bered by Alaskans as a member of the U. $. Navy Coal Commission which investigated the Matanuska coal fields for the Navy. Admiral Gregory has travelled extensively throughout Alaska and has a per sonal Knowledge of the problems of the Territory.
 As the people of Alaska are cur rently considering various methods of controlling ana regulating the liquor trade, l feel that 1 should make available any pertinent facts or information that may be of assis- tance to them in arriving at con clusion, said Governor Ernest Gruening in a statement released today.
 A letter recently received from Admiral l.. E. Gregory Chairman or the Washington State Liquor Con- uol Board, gives some interesting facts about the operations of that States monopoly sale system, and his conclusions as to it's feasibility i'll Alaska" he added.
 Admiral Gives Setup
 Admir- Gregory letter follows
 This will acknowledge your letter of July 20 with regard to informa- ton concerning the application of the Washington state monopoly ii- Quor system to Alaska conditions, After six and one-half years of op- eration in this state, have come to certain conclusions with regard to our own operations which may be of some value to you in your con- sideration of the possibility of a monopoly system of liquor control for Alaska.
 'The Washington State Liquor Control Board, in addition to oper- ating fifty-one stores and one hum dred thirty-four agencies for the sale of hard liquor and wine in package form, has complete licens- ing control over the manufacturing, Wholesaling and retailing of beer and Washington wines. There are some five thousand retail establish nlents in this state selling beer and wine.
 Our stores are located in the larger centers of population. They are wholly controlled from Olympia by the Board, that is rent, light, heat, hiring and firing of all per sonnel, payment of salaries, etc. On the whole it has appeared to be undesirable to put such stores in communities with less than three thousand population. In addition to these stores the Board operates a system of agencies which are To- cated in outlying communities. In these agencies a local merchant is ordinarily appointed to handle the sale of liquor. Prices, etc. are com pletely controlled by the Board from Olympia and the liquor stocks are owned by the Board. The agent k paid a certain sum per month foI which he handles the sales, furnish es space and takes care of all details in connection herewith.
 "All of the liquor is warehoused in central warehouse in Seattle and shipments are made once ol twice a week by common carrier from the warehouse in Seattle to the various stores and agencies.
 How It Operates
 All sales are for cash and the amount of the sales in the stores is deposited to the account of the Lii quor Board in local bank each day such funds being then transferred by that bank to one of the central banks with which the Board has large deposit arrangements. The agencies deposit the amount of theil sales in local bank each day to 8 special account which is opened ir the agents name. The agent trans. mits the balance in this account tc the Board weekly.
 Every store and agency is so 10. cated that 1t can receive freight and mail six days a week. The Board has two store supervisors who are or the road constantly and they visit