MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES SEVENTY-NINTH CONGRESS PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF H. Res. 38 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INVESTIGATION OF THE MARINE AND FISHERIES 87948 PART 1 MAY 27, 1946 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1946 HENRY M. JACKSON, Washington, Chairman CHRISTIAN A. HERTER, Massachusetts EDWARD L. BARTLETT (Delegate) Alaska HERBERT C. BONNER, North Carolina CONTENTS Page Statements of David E. Scoll, Department of the Interior.. Hon. Ernest H. Gruening, Governor of Alaska- Ralph H. Hallett, Director of Regulations, War Shipping Administra- Ira L. Ewers, attorney for Alaska Steamship Co. and Northland S. J. Swanson, vice president and general manager, Alaska Transpor- George E. Talmadge, Jr., Special Assistant to the Administrator, War 21 Exhibit 1. Exhibit 2. 29 III 23 3 19 ALASKAN PROBLEMS MONDAY, MAY 27, 1946 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON ALASKAN PROBLEMS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met at 10:45 a. m., Hon. Henry M. Jackson presiding. Mr. JACKSON. The committee will come to order. By way of an opening statement I think it might be well to read the authorization given to me by the chairman of the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries in connection with the pending bearing: Pursuant to House Resolution 38, Seventy-ninth Congress authorizing the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, or subcommittees thereof, to d and investigate all matters within the jurisdiction of the committee, a ⚫ommittee is hereby designated to study, inquire into, and investigate: 1 All questions regarding transportation by water between the continental Tried States and the Territory of Alaska, including problems of rates, fares, pations, future requirements, and operating problems. 2 All problems concerning the operation of the Alaska fisheries including the cation of traps, Indian priorities, regulations, and related matters. 3 All matters relating to the operation of the United States Coast Guard in 4 around the Territory of Alaska. The following members of the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheres are hereby designated as members of this special Subcommittee on Alaskan Prems: Hon. Henry M. Jackson of Washington, chairman; Hon. Herbert Ber of North Carolina; Hon. Christian A. Herter of Massachusetts; Hon. Fard L. Bartlett, of Alaska. This subcommittee is hereby authorized to make such investigations of the Tars within its jurisdiction and to hold such hearings as it may deem to be essary, and to report to the full committee concerning its findings and recomLendations. S. O. BLAND, Chairman. This morning, we will deal only with the first problem, namely, the Alaskan transportation problem. Mr. Coles, do you wish to call the first witness, or do you have a preliminary statement, perhaps? Mr. COLES. Mr. Chairman, the Territory of Alaska is completely dependent upon the service furnished to it by certain ship lines. Moreover, the basic cost of living of the people of the Territory varies almost direct proportion to the freight charges made by these lines. Prior to the war, three lines carried all of the freight, or almost all of the freight, to and from the Territory. During the war, all of these Operations were carried on by the War Shipping Administration, and for military cargo, by the Army Transport Service. This service now, however, must soon be returned to private hands. As a matter of 1 |