Valley frontiersman., 1950-06-30

the Maritime Commission. At that Northand possessed but vessel namely the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHAKIE now CHENA which buying from the Maritime Commission under The alleged merg consisted of Alaska Steams pur chase of Northan equity that purchase items of office furniture The so-caled merger approved bv 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 ehaterns vessels for the of entering the Alaska trade in competition with ourselves This charge completely
 ounded most study of laws regulating the charter of vessels would prove that have huence The Maritime Commission charters vessels those ship operators qualified under the provisions of the Merchant Ship Sales Act, l946.
 We further charged with failing cooperate the Alaska motor truck carriers The plain facts that govern. menowned and operated Alaska Railroad complained bitterly when made through with all connecting truck interior points, they insisted that by doing were encouraging competition for the railroad Now the Antitrust lawyers from Washington c. charge that crlmlna refused cooperate with the truck carriers
 The suit demands that operating competitive manner and would eno from carrying general the established procedures and practices which known and accepted by the entire American industry Thus our competition would be the sole gan at our 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 any alleged complaints with respect to our activities usual Antitrust When learned our activities under investigation the head Anti. Division offering full complete access to all of our books records and e both in Seattle and Alaska made our executives and personnel available for interrogation Immediately swarm of Antitrust lawyers and economists began study of the companys vouminous files which continued for than thirty days We also prepared and submitted the Antitrust detailed factual outline of the history and activities of the pany from 1908 date Despite hs the Antitrust lawyers still refused to advise the nature of the alleged charges until filing of the criminal indictment and civil complaint and their simultaneous "Press Release"
 We emphatealy deny each and sI charges of violation of law made against We deny that have consped to destroy competition monopoze the Alaska industry We deny that business practices have in any of the word.
 The great threat of monopoly hanging the Territory Of Alaska H that which day by day threatened by govern ment itself This threat defined clearly than by this assault from the Antitrust Division undertaking to break the back of the only company which they admit abe to offer complete water transportation service to all Alaska
 We pledge to you that will wage this fight honorsbly with our fullest and with every and We accept this challenge with clear and with the conviction that have ven operate within law and to the people of Alaska the best of abilities BUT we do not underestimate the heavy odds and the heavy which face
 ask your support and understanding in this common cause
 t4AR@4&-J,
 C. w. SKINNER, Presidens