The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-06-10
DENIALSHINT
 'k0TIvES' TO
 BE AIRED0U
Development 0bsirueied' Say Chdrges-AIaskd Line
 Preditts vindicdiion

WASHINaTON, Jus, 70 = tR- The biggest string of anti trust pro- secutions ever undertaken at one time in single area was aimed today at sizeable segment of busi- ness in Alaska.
 Prosecutions were started yester- day in Anchorage against g cor porations, l38 individuals and two liquor dealer associations, and Att torney General McGrath said last night that more actions are to come.
 McGrath announced that the move was directed against what the Justice Department described as "collusive arrangements among business groups which have ob- structed the development and ex- pansion of the Alaskan economy"
 The Department. he said, had been investigating the situation for nearly a year.
 Based on 10 sealed indictments re- turned last Monday by federal grand jury at Anchorage, the ac- tions were directed against several lines of trade, including shipping, fuel supplies, food. the liquor busi- ness. taxicabs and dry cleaning services.
 According to the Justice Depart ment. the most significant" of the prosecutions was a double -barreled indictment and civil suit against Alaska sstesnshtp accompany of Seattle and five of its officers, in- cluding the President. Gilbert w. Skinner
 Controls Economy"
 The Attorney General said that because 1t is the only line serving the entire territory. Alaska Steam ship virtually controls the economy of Alaska"
 The company was accused in the court actions of excluding competi- tion in passenger and freight trade in Alaskan waters by "a wide va- riety of coercive and illegal means" In Seattle. the company issued an immediate denial. It declared in a statement:
 We are determined to fight these charges and to bring into plain view the motives of those who have in- stigated and sponsored them. We are satisfied that a full trial of this matter before fair and im- partial tribunal will vindicate the company and its personnal." Drive to Free Restraint" McGrath asserted in a statement: "In recent years, Alaska has be- come of great strategic importance as defense area. Since economic development and defense are in- separable. it is essential that bar riers to the expansion of trade be speedily removed. The group of cases filed constitute only the first visible results of the Departments drive to free the Alaskan economy of crippling trade restraints and monopolistic practices" He noted that President Truman, in recommending statehood for the Territory more than a year ago, said it was important to the country to open up Alaskan economic op- pOrtunities lon a sound, long terns basis"
 Officials of other indicted Seattle firms also denied charges. Liquor Fix Denied
 Our firm never has engaged in price-fixing of any sort" said IT, wing J. Levine, President of KL. Distributors, Inc, 'and to my knowledge there's been no price, fixing by other firms supplying liquor to Alaska.
 Our practices of distributing liquor in the Territory of Alaska are the same as those of distribu- tors in the United States. We dis criminate against no one and re- fuse to sell to no one where credit has been properly established"
 Al Shyman, owner of Alaska Dis tributors Company, backed Levine's statement that liquor prices in Alaska on nationally-known brands are the same as those in the United States, except for freight differen- tial.
 The shipping indictment and civil suit named Alaska Steamship Company and Gilbert w. Skinner. Raymond c. Anderson. H. N. Pet erson. John D. Nelson. Walter J. Manahan, all of Seattle.
 The coal indictment named Healy