The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-03-25
Alaska Needs More Than Interim Aid
Seattle Starr

The National House and Senate are to be con- graduated for their speedy passage of interim Alaska shipping legislation.
 Exhaustive hearings cleared the way for intelligent action on the crisis which threatened by with drawal of the maritime commission from Alaska ship ping President Truman's signature to the measure followed immediately.
 It must be emphasized. however, that the interim legislation is exactly what the name implies. Congress must work out a long-range program if the best of national defense Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are to be served
 The present measure is a compromise between Alaskan and shipping company demands.
 In conjunction with the legislation the maritime commission expected to approve rate increases aver aging about 35 per cent spread cut that cost-of- living items will be the least affected.
 This increase is between one-third and onehalf of what the shipping companies believed essential 10 successful private operation Alaskans wanted no increase whatsoever.
 To compensate for the threatened less of revenue, shipping companies will by terms of the interim bill be allowed to charter vessels at nominal rate generally understood to be one dollar per year
 This is in effect. hidden supsldy.
 We are not taking the stand that subsidies are unwaranted. But believe that if Congress de- termnes subsidies are necessary to insure Alaska S role in national defense and to insure its growth and prosperity then open subsidies should be granted so the naton will know exactly how much it is paying.
 These subsidies could take the form of aid in building modern passenger vessels, urgently needed on Alaska runs, and could also be granted on routes where American vessels in competition with the highly subsidized Canadian vessels
 Such program, which could be justified solely national defense if for no other reason should be speedily considered by Congress
 We also believe, in accord with recent resolution of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, that in long, range Congressional legislation competition should be encouraged and any tendency toward monopoly re- sisted"
 It is our opinion that consolidation of the three leading lines as recently proposed might lose more in lowering the level of service to AaskanS than would gain by admitted operating eficiencies
 We believe that the interests of all groups will be best served by vigorous. healthy competition.
 Furthermore consolidation could not fail to in- crease the volume and effectiveness of voices urging government ownership of Alaska vessels
 AS a vital adjunct to intelligent shipping legisla- ton way must also be found to stop the crppling tieups so the Alaska trade routes A remedy be applied. either by Congressional or joint on-company action.
 These tieups serve the interests of no group they harm the interests of many
 Without union-company harmony no measure passed by Congress offers the promise of success.
 With it, the hope is justified that intelligent long range Congressional action will lay the framework for sustained era of growth for Alaska, hand in hand with the growth of Seattle it's neighbor to the south