He Finds Alaska’s
Tax Heavy
(Anchorage Daily Times>
We are in receipt of an interest
ing letter from a railroad em
ployee at Whittier taking rather
violent exception to the Alaska law
which compels him to pay a school
tax of five dollars. He suggests
that we might “justify" it.
The man presented a copy of a
letter of protest he submitted with
his five dollars to the tax collec
tor. In it he made some interest
ing comments.
‘I don’t believe this tax applies
to me, a non-resident, on the
ground that it taxes one class for
the sole and exclusive benefit of
another class. Political economists
have a name for it. However, I
intend to get away from Alaska as
cheaply as possible so, here it is.
“On the other hand, nothing is
without its compensation one way
or another. Being the average
American parent, I am sometimes
too lazy mentally to be of much
help to my children with their
home-work. Henceforth, I hope
never to let go unanswered that
familiar school boy question:
i ‘Daddy, what was the stamp
| tax’?”
I The writer concludes with by
addressing this newspaper: “You,!
who have all the answers, tell us,1
who have none of the privileges
of a resident, how you justify plac
ing your burdens and obligations
on us non-residents.”
In the first place, we might j
suggest in answer that the writer’s
belief that we “have all the ans
wers’* is just as erroneous as some
of the other reasoning of his pro
test against the five dollar school
tax.
The writer wants to live as
cheaply as possible and parts with
a five dollar tax to the Territorial
government with bitter regrets.
This is one of the foremost prob
lems of the Territory. It is this at
titude which hinders the stability
of Alaska and delays it from be- ]
coming the homeland it will some
day be.
From the Alaska Railroad we
have learned that, this man came
to Alaska last May on a year’s
contract as a waiter at Whittier.
He draws $124 a month, less some
deductions for war bonds, etc. He
also gets board and room which
the railroad evaluates at $182.50
a month. The man pays an income
tax to the federal government on
$306.50 a month. He also gets
commissary privileges, retirement
privileges, sick and annual leave.
This non-resident, as he calls
himself, considers that he has
none of the privileges of a resi
dent in Alaska and objects to pay
ing five dollars a year for the sup
(Continued on Page Seven)
GOIN’ SOMEWHERE?
FLY WITH
WIEN Alaska Airlines
1946 LIGHTERAGE TARIFFS
We are considering no increase in lighterage rates.
Increased tonnage volume has enabled us to hold our rates at
prewar levels in spite of increased costs. In 1946 a continued sub
stantial tonnage is anticipated and therefore we expect our 1946
tariffs will average the same as in 1945 unless unlooked-for condi
tions affecting our costs should develop.
Gold mining is the life blood of Seward Peninsula and we
trust that no situation will arise which will so increase our oper
ating costs that increased tariffs become necessary.
Substantial increase in transportation rates would be detri
mental to Alaska business and mining interests and would add to
the already high cost of living.
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