The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-02-13
COMMUNICATION

DEAR SIR:
 As I am in Juneau on business for Hoonah in regards to fishing re- gulat ons and in regard to our road, as one born in the Territory and one who has lived here all of his life. feel impelled to tell the Cheechako Editor of your sheet that we sell dom take the trouble to answer all the Empires misrepresentations on every subject, but particularly the Native people However, in this case the people of Hoonah were so ril- ed that quite a few of them asked me to tell you off
 In the course of it's editorial mis- representation the Empire saw fit to discuss the Village of Hoonah in the January 31st issue. It stated among other things that the Indian Office spent $551 900 on the Hoonah Hous- ing Project The Indian Office spent not one cent on the housing project. It was built by the Federal Public Housing authority during the war so that the people of Hoonah could continue processing fish for food that was a war necessity.
 The Empire editorial further states that the Alaska Native Service wastes money, and bases the charge on the fact that the Alaska Native Service completed deal for the purchase of the Hood Bay Cannery. This cannery is to be ownd and op- erated by the Native people of An goon and will be paid for by them. This, the Empire states, is socialism, and says the Territory will get no taxes in the future from this can nery. This is not true. This cannery will pay the same taxes it has paid in the past, I agree that these taxes have teen so small, that the Empire with it's usual accuracy. concludes are TO taxes.
 Tie editorial says that the Alaska Native Service seems to be short of funds to operate it's schools and pro- vide food for the Sitka Sanitorium yet it can always find money for other ventures. None of the expendi- lures for the purchase of the can nery were made by the Alaska Native Service school funds, but have come from the Wheeler-H Howard Act funds which cannot be used for the opera tion of schools, which you must be well aware of, but which in your desire to pan the Alaska Native Ser vice which you don't like because you do not like the Native people, of which I am one.
 You also insult the Hoonah people by stating that some of its young sters} are running barefoot in the snow this winter. The children of Hoonah have not run barefoot in the snow or out of the snow this winter or any other winter.
 While it is true, owning to a poor fishing season, the people of Hoonah, like those of any other fishing com- munity of Southeastern Alaska, are hard up, we shall continue to meet our obligations in meeting payments on the houses furnished us by the Federal Public Housing Authority, as well as buying oil to keep these houses warm. No one in Hoonah has been cold as yet this winter.
 You likewise indicate your belief that the Territory is spending $50,- GOO on road from Hoonah to can- nery that will not operate this com ing season. Your figures, of course, are exaggerated and the cannery will operate as usual. Otherwise your statements to that effect are as near the truth as is possible for you to make them.
 For years the Territory has been building roads to mining prospects which are not operating. Is it not a good idea once in while to build a road to the industry which chiefly supports the majority of the people of Alaska?
 For years the Territory has been the REC, has been leaning money to finance mining prospects, why IS it wrong for another government agency to finance fish processing project or cannery. Is it because we are Natives? Why is it socialism when the fishermen borrow money to finance cannery project and fine capitalism when miners likewise acquire money for mining?
 The Empire seems worried that the Hood Bay cannery, as owned by the Natives will not pay taxes. l have never noticed it worrying, in any other editorial, about the many big industries in Alaska that pay no taxes at all.
 (signed) Harry Douglas, Mayor
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