Kodiak mirror., 1950-07-01

the Maritime Commission At that time Northand possessed hut vessel namely the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHAE now the CHENA which was buying from the Maritime Commission under contract The alleged merger consisted of Alaska Steas pu chase of Noran equity that purchase contract plus certain items of office furniture The socaed merger approved by the Maritime Commission. Previously Governor Cruening and other Territorial officials had often publicly demanded that Alaska Steam and Northland be merged.
 The suit charges that had prevented others from charterng vessels for the purpose of entering Alaska trade in competition with ourselves This charge completely unfounded most study of laws regulating the charter o vessels would prove that have such fuence The Maritime Commission charters vessels those ship operators quaed under the provisions of the Merchant Ship Sales Act l946
 We further charged with failing cooperate with the Alaska motor truck carriers The plain facts that the and operated Alaska Railroad complained bitterly when made through with all connecting rers serving interior points, they insisted that by doing were encouraging competition for the railroad Now the government Antitrust lawyers from Washington D. c. charge that we crminay refused cooperate with the truck carriers
 The suit demands that we cease operating in competitive manner and would enjon carrying general the established business and practices which known and accepted by the entire American transportation industry hus competition would be the sole gn expense while the Territorial economy would be seriously and adversely affected
 The investigation of operations by the Antitrust lawyers and economists shrouded secrecy We confronted with alleged complaints with activities as usual Antitrust cases When we learned that activities under investigation the head the Anti Division offering full and complete books records and hes both in Seattle and Alaska made executives and available for interrogation Immediately of Antitrust lawyers and economists began study the conpanys vouminous files which continued for than thirty days We also prepared and submitted the Antitrust Division detailed facual outline of the history and of the pany from 1908 date Despite t the Antitrust lawyers still refused to advise the of the alleged charges until the
 filing of the criminal indictment and civil complaint and simultaneous Press Release.
 We emphacally deny each and all charges of violation of law made against We deny that have conpred destroy competition monopoze the Alaska transportation industry We deny that business practices have been unlawful in any sense of the word.
 The great threat of monopoly hanging inc Territory of Alaska that which day by day threatened by ment itse This threat defined clearly than by this assault from the Antitrust Division undertaking break the back of the only company which they admit abe to offer complete water transportation service all Alaska.
 We pledge you that will wage this fight honorsby with fullest energy and with every snd We accept this challenge with clear and with the people of Alaska the best abilities BUT do not the heavy odds and heavy expenses which face us
 ask your support and understanding this cause
 4lRl@-4Jp
 CIV. SKINNER. President SHIP MPANY ! AIaska