Local Carpenters
Hike Wage Scale
Members of the Valley car
penter’s union, Local 2251, last
week voted for a wage increase
to $2.25 an hour, union president
'Chek Sandvik announced this
week. The increase became ef
fective on Feb. 16.
Mr. Sandvik pointed out that
the decision would have little
effect on local employers, since
most of them are now paying the
$2.25 rate, which is the scale of
the Anchorage carpenter’s union.
The Anchorage group is report
ed to be considering a request
for still higher wages in the very
near future.
It was explained that the Val
ley organization took definite
action at this time, only to pro
tect its members in case any
large-scale building projects are
to be undertaken here in the
coming months. In that event,
carpenters wish to have an of
ficial record of the standard
wage scale.
Information Sought
On Missing Man
The office of Governor Ernest
Gruening at Juneau is seeking
information of Clarence G. Rich
ardson. Mr. Richardson is de
scribed as being 38 years of age,
six feet tall, and weighing about
150 pounds. He was reported to
have been in Alaska last year.
Anyone having information of
Mr. Richardson’s present where
abouts is asked to communicate
directly with the office of the
governor.
Governor Praises ACCA,
Urges Support of Drive
Governor Ernest Gruening
this week issued a proclamation
supporting the work of the Alas
ka Crippled Children’s Associa
tion and urging that the people
of Alaska participate in the
good work of organization by
purchase of Easter Seals. The
ACCA has sponsored sale of
these seals at Easter for the past
two years, in order to finance
its work for the support of the
Orthopedic hospital at Sitka.
This year’s ACCA Easter Seal
drive will extend from Feb. 28
to March 28.
P-TA MEETS TUESDAY
Members of the Parent-Teach
&'s Association are reminded of
the regular monthly meeting,
which will be held in the lunch
room of Palmer school on Feb.
17. A student court will be pre
sented by the Student Council
as a part of the evening’s pro
gram. In addition, Miss Peggy
Elfsen will talk of her summer’s
walking tour through France
with a Youth Hostel group. She
will show colored pictures of her
trip.
Returns From Visit
Ralph Moore, who has been
visiting his family in Neosho,
Mo., for the past two months, re
turned to the Valley last week.
He is back at work at his old
job with the Matanuska Electric
Association, Inc.
Vacation-Bound
Mrs. Ruth Pierson of the local
Matanuska Electric Association
office is planning a vacation
Outside. She expects to leave the
Valley sometime this week.
Bank Directors Meet
The board of directors of the
Matanuska Valley Bank met in
Palmer last Sunday afternoon.
Eltons Plan Trip
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elton
. are planning a trip Outside.
They expect to leave within the
aext few days and will remain
out for some time, but hope to
. return to th' v*P.ey later in the
spring.
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1948
i
1
VALLEY CLEANERS
For Pick-Up and Delivery Service
Call 6Y3
Open Monday to Friday nights ONLY
For the Best Shave and Haircut in Town Try
VIC’S BARBER SHOP
Located in Rec Hall
Shaves and Haircuts from 10 a. m. to 7 p. m.
-
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Much has been said about this agreement. We think you should know more of the details*
WHY SUCH AGREEMENT?
During the period of Government operations in the war and post-war periods operating
costs had advanced so tremendously the Alaska carriers were unable to resume service
on a strictly private basis, and in order to develop sufficient information to enable Con
gress to plan intelligently a long-range Alaska shipping program this agreement was
concluded.
WHAT IS THIS AGREEMENT?
This is a contract under which the Alaska operators covenanted with the Maritime
Commission to furnish service to Alaska until June 30, 1948, the Maritime Commission
to provide the necessary additional tonnage at nominal charter hire ($1.00 per vessel
per year) and cover hull insurance. To cover its out-of-pocket expenses the Government
will take any earnings over 10 per cent before taxes (about 6 per cent after taxes) on
operating capital employed, and if there is any remainder the Government will take 75,
per cent thereof. All losses are to be paid by the operator involved.
BASIS OF ALLOCATION OF SHIPS AND DIVISION OF ROUTES
The carriers, unable to agree among themselves on the allocation of ships and the routes
to be served by each, did agree to submit this matter to arbitration and to abide by the
arbitrators’ decision.
During the pre-war period of strictly private operations, each company was entirely
free to enlarge its fleet as it saw fit and to serve competitively any or all ports of Alaska,
and the arbitrators decided that rather than promote the expansion of any one carrier
at Government expense and to the detriment of the others, the allocation of ships and
scope of operations under the agreement should be according to the pre-war private
determination of each carrier, except that the Alaska Steamship Company would have
one less vessel than pre-war and that all military cargo for all areas would be open to free
competition by each carrier.
PRE-WAR FLEETS AND AWARD FLEETS
.-PRE-WAR (as of 12/7/41)-. ,- AWARD -. % Toning*
Vassals Tonnage % Total Ton. Vessels Tonnaga % Total Ton. Incraaaa
Alaska Steam _ 17 69.018 79.2% 16 73,906 71.7% 7.08%
Northland_ 5 14.405 16.6% 5 18.349 18.8% 27.4 %
Alaska Transportation_ 3 3,675 4.2% 3 9,478 9.5% 157.9 %
Subsequent to original award, one additional vessel was assigned each carrier, creating
an even greater disparity over pre-war tonnage pattern in favor of the two smaller
carriers.
DESIGNATED OPERATING AREAS (Except that military cargo for all areas open to
free competition).
Alaska Steam_Alaska generally (except Kuskokwim if Santa Ana Steamship
Co. was to operate).
Northland_Southeastern Alaska (except combination freight and pas
senger vessel authorized to operate in conjunction with other
combination vessels in the trade).
Alaska Transportation_Southeastern Alaska
SHOULD ARBITRATION AWARD BE CHANGED?
We believe not. Although the over-all result of the arbitration award was not nearly
so favorable to the Alaska Steamship Company as to the other carriers, since we agreed
to the arbitration and to abide thereby and the other carriers did likewise agree, it appears
to us that the right and proper procedure is to allow the Interim Agreement, as is, to
run out the period of its stipulated duration, or until plans for returning to a strictly
private operation are approved by the Maritime Commission, whichever occurs first. We
believe your consideration of the circumstances involved and the terms of the agreement
will lead you to a similar conclusion.
Sincerely,
ALASKA STEAMSHIP COMPANY
☆ ☆ Serving All Alaska
★ it ☆
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ A