The Nome nugget., 1950-06-28

the Maritime Commission At that time Norhland possessed but vessel namely the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHAKIE now the CNA, which buying from the Maritime Commission under conr.ct The alleged mergef consisted of Alaska Steams pur chase of Norhand equity that purchase contract plus certain items ot office furniture The sOcaed merger approved by the Maritime Commission Previously Governor Guenng and other Territorial officials had often publicly demanded that Alaska Steam and NOr.hland be merged.
 The sut charges that had prevented others from carterrs vessels for the purpose of entering the Alaska trade in competition win ourselves This charge completely unounded CursOry study of laws regulating the charter vessels would prove that we hay no such n uence The Maritime Commission charters vessels those ship operators qualified under the provisions of the Merchant Ship Sales Act, l9l6
 further charged with failing cooperate with the Alaska motor GE ne plain Iacts that the govern mcntouned and operaed Alaska Railroad complained bitterly when made through with all connecting trc, serving interior points, they insisted that by doing encouraging competition for the railroad Now the government Antitrust lawyers from Wasingon D. C., charge that we crlmina refused to cooperate with the truck carriers
 The suit demands that operating in competitive and uld enjon from carrying general the established business procedures and which known and accepted by the entire American transportation industry Thus competition would be the sole gan expense while the Territorial economy would b seriously and adversely affected
 The investigation of operations by the Antitrust lawyers and economists shrouoed in secrecy We confronted with any alleged complaints with respect activities usual in Antitrust When learned that activities under investigation the head of the Anti trust Division offering full and complete all of books records and fes both in Seattle and Alaska and made executives and personnel available for interrogation Immediately of Antitrust lawyers and began study of the voumnous files which continued for than thirty days. We also prepared and submitted to the Antitrust Division detailed facua outline of the history and activities of the pany from 1908 to date Despite this the Antitrust lawyers still refused to advise the of the alleged charges until the filing of the criminal indictment and civil complaint and their simultaneous Press Release.
 We emphaesIy deny each and all charges of violation of law made against We deny that have conspred destroy competition monopoe the Alaska industry We deny that business practices have been unlawful any sense of the word.
 The great threat of monopoly hanging the Territory of Alaska is that which day by day threatened by govern nent 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 able offer complete water transportation service to all Alaska.
 We pledge 10 you that will wage this fight honoraby with fullest energy and with every mand We this challenge with conscience clear and with the conviction that have en operate within the 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 this cause
 4N-P&~@~~L>
 C. W. SKINNER Presiden. !; HIP OMPANY