The Wrangell sentinel., 1949-08-12
THROUGH
THE SENTINEL
PERISCOPE

If wage increase demands and
fish price increases can be agreed
to in time. the seine fishing sea-
son will get underway next Non
day in most of southeast Alaska.
Request for an earlier opening in
certain districts had not met with
favor of the Fish and Wldlife Ser
vice at mid-week and the chances
for a few extra days this week ap-
peared remote F&WS reported
good showings of pink salmon at
Anan. Tenakee and PIT. Frederick
but other areas spotty.
In Ketehikan ALL and CLIO re-
representatives. were in huddle
with the industry over wages and
fish prices. A five per cent in
crease in fish prices was being
asked, the same as granted in Pr
William Sound and Cook Inlet, and
a seven cents an hour boost in
cannery pay. There was some talk
of a strike, which could mean no
season, if demands were not met.
but there was sound reason to be
lieYe that agreements would be
reached in time for operations to
get underway next week. Both the
packers and fishermen needed the
season. Bristol Bay had been way
off, only slightly over half mil
lion cases; Cook Inlet had been a
bout average with Prince William
Sound producing above average.
A l., ~
ing looked to for putting up the
bulk of the pack. Short though the
season would be - TO Sept Sit
was the last chance for a fishery
pay day for cannery workers and
seiners. Everybody wanted and
needed a good season in the South
east not to overlook the good
old Territorial treasury which
could use plenty of fish pack tax
Meanwhile, there was a note of
optimism around the treasury. Ter
ritorfal Treasurer Henry Roden
had negotiated an advance from
the Seattle Trust and Savings for
a million dollars against general
in back obligations. The money
was eNpec ed to be available next
week and those having vouchers
against the Territory could expect
to get their money shortly. The
advance - which in fact is a loan
against anticipated tax payments
runs until January 81, at three
per cent interest Next Legislature
will be asked TO appropriate the
interest. In the interim, it is guar
anteed by 10 Alaska signatories at
$1,000 a piece Backing the inter
est are the Treasurer himself, Gov.
Ernest Gruening, Dr. Terris Moore,
new president of the University of
Alaska DR.. Charles E. Bunnell,
President Emeritus; A. E. Lathrop,
Alaska financier; Senator Andrew
Nerland, Attorney General Gerald
Williams, Assistant Auditor Neil
Moore, Jack Conway of Sitka, Supt.
W. w knight of the Pioneers
Home, James Pinkerton of Ketchi-
kan, Byron A Gillian of Fair
banks, Ketchikan Aerie Fraternal
Order of Eagles, Education Com
missioner James c. Ryan and DR.
William Charters of Sitka.
- IS
Alaska statehood, which appears
to be dead so far as this session of
Congress is concerned, has, how
ever won a powerful preponent in
the Hearst papers, biggest news
paper chain in the country. Re
Gently the Hearst chain. which in
cludes dailies in most of the ma
tons principal cities, came out
with a page spread. illustrated
with a neat half page of art re-
yealing Alaska as the little orphan
out in the storm, right at the door
of the nice. warm union of tsates
with Uncle Sam peering out the
was a striking plea for Alaska
statehood. In behalf of Alaska
statehood advocates, of which this
newspaper has been one since
1914, We extend rousing vote Of
thanks to William Randolph
thanks to William Dandolpi
Hearst and his mighty newspapers
for giving US a great big helping
hand. When Crusader Hearst
throws his battery of papers back
OF a cause something usually gives
We suspect in this instance it will
be Congress giving us statehood.
Land Withdrawals, always a sore
spot with Alaskans, were being
given a hearing this week in An