The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-03-22
STALIN AFFIRlNS CONFIDENCE IN UN(
BILL BY BARTLETT ON STEAMER LINE
 TAKEN FOR RIDE

SEATTLE, March 22.-The Alaska Transportation Company claims a bill introduced in Congress by Ter ritorial Delegate E. L. Bartlett IS packed with dynamite.
 A statement issued by the con- pany describes the bill as short and inconspicious." But it claims the measure would establish gov- ernment ownership of steamship lines and it further contends that private lines which have served Alaska for years would he put out of business.
 The Bartlett bill, the statement goes on to say, would authorize the government-owned Alaska railroad to acquire and operate vessels be- tween Alaska and the continental United States and between Alaska ports.
 The statement continues the measure does not limit the prices paid for vessels, nor the rates the Alaska railroad could charge.
 This bill designed as a panacea for present rate problems, would not only wreck private steamship companies now serving the Terri tory of Alaska, but would com pletely revolutionize the basic prin- oiples of private ownership of com mon carriers in the country" the company stated. "The bill would be an opening wedge in the American economic system which would es- tablish a precedent and lead to government ownership and opera tion of other steamship lines and of railroads, airlines, motor buses and trucks"
 It said, No reason for this bill exists except the vain hope that somehow it might prevent increas- ed rates required by increased costs There is no magic formula for avoiding these costs"
 Proposals
 The Alaska Transportation O.. proposes:
 q. Existing private carriers be permitted to transport all Army and Navy passengers and freight be- tween the United States and Alaska E. as they did before the war and as the railroads do today in continental United States The revenues partly offsetting the need for increased rates.
 "2. After agreements (between tke Unions and the steamship lines) have been satisfactorily de- termined, both sides would be pro- tected against any departure from the spirit and letter of these con- tracts.
 8. The bulk of Alaska water transportation is highly seasonal -, During the off-season many vessels are necessarily idle. Arrangements should be made to encourage the use of these excess ships on other trade routes, thereby avoiding ex- pensive lay-up charges.
 A. American shipowners are sub- ject to substantial competition from Canadian lines. For approximately 800 miles, the route to Alaska pass es drought Canadian waters. Uni- ted States vessels, in ballast or partly loaded, are constantly by passing Canadian ports where both freight and passengers are avail able
 Because of lower Canadian costs, the United States vessels can not compete with the Canadian Similar conditions are recognized in worldwide trade. Alaska vessels could compete and materially in- crease their revenues if the gov ernment would encourage the de- velopment of a foreign trade route between the United States and British Columbia, and provide an operating subsidy similar to that authorized in other worldwide trade routes under provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1886" "A su