The Wrangell sentinel., 1950-06-30

the Maritime Commission At that time Northand possessed but vessel namely the Liberty ship CHIEF WASHAKIE now the CENA which was buying from the Maritime Commission under contract The alleged merger consisted of Alaska Steams pu chase of Norhand 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 Northand be merged
 The suit charges that we had prevented others from, ehsrterng vessels for the purpose of entering the Alaska trade in competition with ourselves This charge completely unfounded most cusory study of laws regulating the charter of owned vessels would that have such in. 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 10 cooperate with inc 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 railroad Now the government Antitrust lawyers from Washington D. G. charge that crimnay refused cooperate with the truck
 The suit demands that operating in competitive and would enon from carrying general the established business procedures practices which known and accepted by the entire American industry Thu competition would be the sole gan expense while the Territorial economy would 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 usual in Antitrust cases When learned that activities under investigation wrote the head of the Anti trust Division offering full and complete all of books records and hes both Seattle and in Alaska, and made executives and available for interrogation Immediately 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 Division detailed facua outline of the history and activities of the pany from 1908 date Despite ths 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 Release.
 We emphaeaIIy deny each and all charges of violation of law made against We deny that have conspred 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 inc Territory of Alaska that which day by day threatened by menf 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 abe offer complete 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 clear with the conviction that have sven operate within the law and the people of Alaska the best of abilities BUT do not underestimate the heavy odds and the heavy which face
 ask your support and understanding in this
 9.GO.Pl~Go1>
 G. SKINNER President 5 HIP MPANY { AIaska