The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-06-27

the Maritime Commission At that time Norhand possessed but vessel namely, the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHAKIE the CENA, which buying from the Maritime Commission under The alleged merger consisted of flask Stea chase of Norhand equity that purchase 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 Northand be merged
 The suit charges that we had prevented others from charerng vessels for the purpose of entering the Alaska trade in competition with ourselves This charge completely unfounded most curory study of laws regulating the charter of owned vessels would that have such fuence 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 with the Alaska motor truck carriers The plain facts that the govern menowned and operated Alaska Railroad complained bitterly when made through with all connecting truck rers serving interior points, they insisted that by doing encouraging competition for the government railroad Now the Antitrust lawyers from Washington, D. G. charge that criminay refused cooperate with the truck
 The suit demands that operating in competitive and would enoin from carrying in general the established business procedures practices which accepted by the entire American transportation industry Thus competition would be the sole gan expense while the Territorial economy would be seriously and adversely affected
 The investigation of operations by the Antitrust lawyers and economists shrouded in secrecy We confronted with alleged complaints with respect activities is usual in Antitrust When learned that activities under investigation the head of the Anti trust Division offering full and complete all of book records and les both in Seattle and in Alaska and made and available interrogation Immediately of Antitrust lawyers and economists began study of the company voumnous files which continued for than thirty days We also prepared and submitted to the Antitrust Division detailed factua outline of the history and activities of the pany from 1908 date Despite his the Antitrust lawyers still refused to advise the nature of the alleged charges until the filing of the criminal indictment and civil complaint and their simultaneous Press Reease''
 We emphaticay deny each and all charges of violation of law made against We deny that have conpired 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 over the Territory of Alaska that which day by day threatened by itself This threat defined clearly than by this assault from the Antitrust Division undertaking break the back of the only company which they admit is ab to offer complete water transportation service to all Alaska.
 We pledge you that will wage this fight honoraby with fullest energy and with every at and We accept this challenge with conscience clear and with the conviction that have operate within the law and the people of Alaska the best of abilities BUT do underestimate the heavy odds and the heavy which face
 ask your support and understanding in this
 4Ao.P@~&-IS
 C. SKINNER President HIP MPANY Alaska