aries of employees. He will take advantage of it. Prosperity can never be restored by reduced earnings. Moreover, the revalution of the dollar will have a disastrous effect upon our purchasing power. The press is carrying headlines on the marked advance in the price of commodities on the strength of the proposed plan. Our purchasing power will be materially reduced. Permit us to share in recovery by restoring our basic salaries. Thank you. M. F. FITZPATRICK. STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY HON. ANTHONY J. DIMOND, A DELEGATE IN CONGRESS FROM THE TERRITORY OF ALASKA, AS MADE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 12, 1934 Mr. Chairman, what I have to say concerns only Federal employees in the Territory of Alaska, and since Alaska is a Territory, it is obvious, of course, that most of the positions are filled by employees of the United States and not by Territorial employees. The people there who work for the Federal Government feel that they have been discriminated against, and I feel that they have been discriminated against, in all of these economy acts, including the bill which is now before the House for action, or that part of it which will continue in effect, if passed, the pay-cut provisions of the Economy Act of 1933. I say that they are being discriminated against for this reason: In the Territory of Alaska the cost of living of the Federal employees, and of everyone else, is anywhere from 75 percent to 185 percent higher than in the nearest part of the United States geographically to the Territory of Alaska, namely, the State of Washington. I now ask unanimous consent to incorporate in the Record as a part of my remarks schedules of comparative costs of the necessaries of life in the State of Washington and in the Territory of Alaska, together with a letter concerning the same. The matter referred to is as follows: Comparative statement of prices in Seattle and Anchorage, Jan. 3, 1933 Comparative statement of prices in Seattle and Anchorage, Jan. 3, 1933-Contd. Comparison of conditions and living costs of Federal employees in Alaska with those of Seattle and elsewhere ITEMIZED LIST OF FOODSTUFFS, ETC. Crisco, per pound. Fresh milk, per quart.. Asparagus. Cheese, American cream, per pound. Flour, standard brands, per 49-pound sacks. Coffee, standard brands, per 1-pound tin. Milk, all brands, talls, per case. Sugar in 10-pound sacks. Mayonnaise and salad dressing, per quart. Pineapple, sliced or crushed, 21⁄2- Canned vegetables: Tomatoes, solid pack, 21⁄2.. Tomato soup.. Beets, no. 2.. Fresh fruit and berries: Oranges (150's) by dozen. Apples, fancy, per box. Strawberries, box... 'Fresh vegetables: Lettuce, per head. Peas. 15 .25 .15 .10 Beef, pot roast.. .024 Hamburger. Hens, young. 111⁄2 Link sausage. 072 .25 Leg lamb.. Swifts Premium ham. Pork, roast.. Veal roast.. Beef steak, sirloin. KETCHIKAN CHAIN-STORE PRICES OBTAINED While the foregoing Seattle prices, taken from the Seattle Daily Times, were no doubt sales prices, at the same time, Ketchikan prices quoted on the same date, or approximately the same date, were given by United Grocery Co. and other chain stores whose prices are from 10 to 15 percent lower than other stores in Ketchikan where charge accounts are carried. In spite of chain-store prices being compared with Seattle advertised special prices, it is ascertained that the actual cost of necessary food commodities in Ketchikan, Alaska, average 75 percent higher than the advertised Seattle prices. OTHER ITEMS WHICH ARE 75 PERCENT AND MORE HIGHER In addition to the foregoing listed articles, other conditions should be considered, such as coal and wood for fuel, cost per kilowatt-hour for electricity, rents, and cost of amusements, which are all at least 75 percent higher than Seattle prices. It is necessary to burn wood, coal, or electricity for heating purposes the year around in Ketchikan to maintain comfortable temperature in homes. During the winter months electric light is necessary all day long and, due to excessive rainy weather, it is used early summer evenings. TRANSPORTATION COSTS HIGH Ketchikan to Seattle and return: Upper deck_. Lower deck___. $56 50 From these figures it can be seen that on present salaries it is impracticable, and in most cases impossible, for Government employees to take their families to the United States for vacations which are very needed. Considering the average Government employee's family to consist of five members, of which the average of four would have to pay full adult fares and one child's, or half, fare in order to take a vacation in the United States (where most of their homes really are), it would cost at least: From Ketchikan to Seattle and return_. HIGH COST AND DIFFICULTIES IN SECURING COLLEGE EDUCATION $225 While education in Alaska is considered very good, there are only a few accredited high schools in the Territory from which graduates can enter universities and in most cases then they have to pass a very rigid examination before they may enter. Due mainly to two factors-one is that the high-school standards, though supposedly accredited, are not sufficient to permit entry without examination, and the other is that most of the Pacific coast universities have about all the students they can care for without taking on additional outside students. At the very least and under the most favorable conditions the question of education, especially higher education, for the boys and girls of Alaska is a matter of very grave concern and one that should not be overlooked in our plea for justice. Granting that it is possible for all of them to enter the University of Washington the cost would be greater than for a student to go from Seattle to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois. Therefore, the matter of education for the children of Federal workers is of grave concern and there is no reason why, under a Government like the United States of America, that Alaskan children should not have at least an even break with the children of the 48 States within the confines of the Union. 66 Alaska Delegate to Congress, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. DIMOND: Reference is made to our conversation in Juneau regarding the possibility of reductions in the salaries of Alaska Federal employees. "Although the last Congress voted against making any further reductions, it is quite possible that this question will come up again, and if it does it is hoped that you will use your influence against it. 66 While from many standpoints Federal employees must and do expect to bear their share of the weight of the present economic depression, it is felt Comparative statement of prices in Seattle and Anchorage, Jan. 3, 1933—Contd. Comparison of conditions and living costs of Federal employees in Alaska with those of Seattle and elsewhere ITEMIZED LIST OF FOODSTUFFS, ETC. KETCHIKAN CHAIN-STORE PRICES OBTAINED While the foregoing Seattle prices, taken from the Seattle Daily Times, were no doubt sales prices, at the same time, Ketchikan prices quoted on the same date, or approximately the same date, were given by United Grocery Co. and other chain stores whose prices are from 10 to 15 percent lower than other stores in Ketchikan where charge accounts are carried. In spite of chain-store prices being compared with Seattle advertised special prices, it is ascertained that the actual cost of necessary food commodities in Ketchikan, Alaska, average 75 percent higher than the advertised Seattle prices. OTHER ITEMS WHICH ARE 75 PERCENT AND MORE HIGHER In addition to the foregoing listed articles, other conditions should be considered, such as coal and wood for fuel, cost per kilowatt-hour for electricity, rents, and cost of amusements, which are all at least 75 percent higher than Seattle prices. It is necessary to burn wood, coal, or electricity for heating purposes the year around in Ketchikan to maintain comfortable temperature in homes. During the winter months electric light is necessary all day long and, due to excessive rainy weather, it is used early summer evenings. TRANSPORTATION COSTS HIGH Ketchikan to Seattle and return: Upper deck_. Lower deck___. $56 50 From these figures it can be seen that on present salaries it is impracticable, and in most cases impossible, for Government employees to take their families to the United States for vacations which are very needed. Considering the average Government employee's family to consist of five members, of which the average of four would have to pay full adult fares and one child's, or half, fare in order to take a vacation in the United States (where most of their homes really are), it would cost at least: From Ketchikan to Seattle and return__. HIGH COST AND DIFFICULTIES IN SECURING COLLEGE EDUCATION $225 While education in Alaska is considered very good, there are only a few accredited high schools in the Territory from which graduates can enter universities and in most cases then they have to pass a very rigid examination before they may enter. Due mainly to two factors-one is that the high-school standards, though supposedly accredited, are not sufficient to permit entry without examination, and the other is that most of the Pacific coast universities have about all the students they can care for without taking on additional outside students. At the very least and under the most favorable conditions the question of education, especially higher education, for the boys and girls of Alaska is a matter of very grave concern and one that should not be overlooked in our plea for justice. Granting that it is possible for all of them to enter the University of Washington the cost would be greater than for a student to go from Seattle to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois. Therefore, the matter of education for the children of Federal workers is of grave concern and there is no reason why, under a Government like the United States of America, that Alaskan children should not have at least an even break with the children of the 48 States within the confines of the Union. "Hon. ANTHONY J. DIMOND, 66 'JUNEAU, ALASKA, March 7, 1933. Alaska Delegate to Congress, Washington, D.C. "DEAR MR. DIMOND: Reference is made to our conversation in Juneau regarding the possibility of reductions in the salaries of Alaska Federal employees. "Although the last Congress voted against making any further reductions, it is quite possible that this question will come up again, and if it does it is hoped that you will use your influence against it. "While from many standpoints Federal employees must and do expect to bear their share of the weight of the present economic depression, it is felt |