The Wrangell sentinel., 1952-06-06
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE
Alaska Again the Victim


 Once again Alaska is the victim of a steamship strike. Like the widely heralded first robin, no spring in recent years appears to be official until somebody calls a strike so that the Territory's sea- sonal activities can be fully handi- capped
 The fact that a few thousand Al askans go on short rations Cor pos sibly no rations at all if it lasts long enough), that business is stiff led. industry closed down, military construction in the interests of na- tional defense is held up and a gen eral chaotic situation exists seems to make no difference to the boys with the strike power. IT they want penalty time on Saturdays or what ever the gripe, the order goes out to tie 'em up. and Alaska. always the victim. has time to sit down and cogitate on the merits of a -for-statehood Mildred Her mann diet, providing, Of course. that there are any beans.
 The 15-DaY Deal
 This spring it's Harry Lunde- berg and his Sailors Union Of the Pacific who has decided to play with Alaskans and their economy as a eat does a mouse. The SUP secretary treasurer, who appears to be the big boss of things maritime on the coast at the moment, planes the Pacific Maritime Association in which the steamship companies are affiliated. He says the PIMA won't negotiate a contract, a contract, which it is reported, carries a 6O- day reopening clause and a proyis- ion which permits SUP to cancel it's contract on 15 days notice.
 Just how anyone can operate a steamship to Alaska, or anywhere else for that matter, under a con- tract that might be broken in 15 days is something of a mystery, but apparently the labor boss thinks it can be done. So, he says, strike - Alaskans can starye on their own penalty time.
 The fact that thousands of union men in Alaska are victimized like everyone else up here appears to have no bearing with the sailors head man. Harry has decided to have a strike and nobody seems to be able to do anything about it.
 Big Business
 ono onnnoVc h1a dn anything about it is the startling conclusion that makes one wonder. In a talk to the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. D. E. Skinner of the Al aska Steamship Company, one of the effected lines, put it this way:
 "The seriousness of the strike is not because of this strike alone. but because of the pattern of strikes that the maritime industry and the Territory of Alaska have been subjected to over a long per iod of time. The fact that other steamship companies operating out of other steamship companies oper- ating out of other Pacific coast ports, through special arrange ments with the Sailors Union of the Pacific, can continue to carry cargo to Alaska provides one more bottle-neck to the supply line be- tween Seattle and the northern Territory"
 Skinner pointed out that in 1851 more than two hundred million dol lars worth of commercial cargo moved through Seattle to Alaska and some one hundred and fifty million dollars worth moved from Alaska through Seattle.
 One Wonders
 Aside from the bleak starvation outlook for Alaskans, it adds up toi big business. Still nobody seems tc be able to do anything about tht situation.
 Skinner put it partially up tC Seattle when he said:
 "The time is ripe for industry labor and government to do what ever is necessary to protect the in terests of the Alaskan people anC the future of the U. s. merchant marine and I know of no other are' that should be more concerned a. bout both of these problems thai Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. .
 It is no doubt true that from 2 dollars and cents standpoint, Seat tie should be, next to Alaskans, tn most vitally concerned, but coming as it does with the steel strike. tn, bus strike the bakery strike ant dozens of others 1t makes one won der if it isn't aimed to strike at tn.