Seward seaport record. (Seward, Alaska) 1948-195?, 1950-06-27


Alaska Steamship Company.
the Maritime Commission At that time Nohand possessed but
vessel namely the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHABLE the
CENA which buying from the Maritime Commission under
contract The alleged merger consisted of Alaska Seam
chase OF Nohands equity that purchase contract plus certain
items of office furniture The socaed merger approved by
the Maritime Commission Previously Governor Gruenng and
other Territorial officials had often publicly demanded that Alaska
Steam and Northland be merged.
The suit charges that we had prevented Others from
eharerng vessels for the purpose Of entering the Alaska
trade in competition with ourselves This charge completely
unfounded most cursory study of laws regulating the charter
of owned vessels would prove that have such in
Huence The Maritime Commission charters vessels those ship
operators qualified under the provisions of the Merchant Ship
Sales Act 1916.
We are further charged with failing to cooperate with the
Alaska motor truck carriers The plain facts that the
owned and operated Alaska Railroad complained bitterly
when made through with all connecting truck
riers serving interior points, they insisted that by doing
were encouraging competition for the railroad Now
the government Antitrust lawyers from Washington D. Co. charge
that we crmna refused cooperate with the truck carriers
The suit demands that operating in competitive
manner and it would enon from general the
established business procedures and practices which known and
accepted by the entire American 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 We
confronted with alleged complaints with respect
activities usual Antitrust When learned that
activities under investigation the head of the Anti
trust Division offering full and complete all of books
records and files both in Seattle and in Alaska and made
executives and available for Interrogation Immediately
of Antitrust lawyers and economists began study of the
vouminous files which continued for than thirty
days We prepared submitted to the Antitrust Division
detailed facual outline of the history and activities of the
pany from 1908 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
simultaneous "Press Release.
We emphatcaIIy deny each and all charges Of violation
OF law made against We deny that have consped
destroy competition monopoze the Alaska transportation
industry We deny that business practices have been unlawful
in any of the word.
The great threat Of monopoly hanging the Territory
OF Alaska that which day by day threatened by govern
this assault from the Antitrust Division undertaking break the
back of the only company which they admit is abe offer
complete water transportation service to all Alaska.
We pledge you that will wage this fight honoraby
with fullest energy and with every
mand We accept this challenge with conscience clear with
the conviction that have rven operate within the law and
to serve the people OF Alaska the best of abilities BUT
do not the heavy odds and the heavy which
face
ask your support and understanding this common cause
HtAO-RR~l-~4I>
G. W. SKINNER President -
e,sva@-~
SHIP COMPANY
A7oL -%s@s44s4e 81
$50 .ssss ~ ~ 81