WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT - May 30 to June 5
MATANUSKA VALLEY
STATION
OBSERVER
Date
Max.
Temp,
Min.
Temp,
Total
Precip
Total
Snow
fall
Snow
on
Groun<
Wind
Direc
Day*
Clear
Day*
Part
Cl'dy
Day*
Cloudfr
Matanuska Exp.
Mary Ebert
Station
64 i
30.
36
lS3_
JL
3utte
_Irving Newville
5
i£L
61
Ji.
.*24.
£K
Pal:ner
M. Sherrod
2
2£L
62
.22.
£2.
Matanuska
Mrs. Lee Marshall
Anchorage Weather Bur
eau
ZL
63_|_
AZ.
JHL
JL
(Continued from page 2).
cessfully grown in Alaska. However, we
find that in attempting to sell to the
Army that our bid to be recognized must
be equal to the price F.O.B. Seattle,with
no consideration for freight. Our in
formation is that the freight is not tak
en into consideration in the cost to the
Quartermaster Corps at Fort hichardson
but is allowed through another source
which does not reflect in the ration al
lowance. This, we believe, is unfair as
it is proven beyond a doubt that product
ion cost in Alaska is considerably higher
than in the States where cheap labor is
available as well as more favorable cli
matic conditions. The men in the sales
office of the Quartermaster Corps have
been very cooperative and they recognize
the conditions, but are bound by regula
tions that they must comply with. They
have agreed to obtain a 25/» differential
in our favor which they consider would
off-set the loss they now have on shipped
in perishables.
"Inasmuch as the freight is now being
paid, although it does not directly show
on the organization's cost, we feel that
the farmers in Alaska should be allowed
the benefit of the freight from Seattle
to the delivery point for the following
reasonss
1. Agriculture in Alaska with its
thousands of acres of available land is
just in its infancy and some inducement
must be offered to encourage the settling
of this land so the Territory can be more
self-sustaining and free from hazards of
long shipping lanes,
2. Agricultural development of the
Territory is sound economically as it
means payrolls, stable population, and
keeping Alaska capital in Alaska,
3. Using the estimato 'f the amount
consumed in the city of Anchorage last
year, of those crops such as potatoes,
cabbage, and head lettuce, which can be
produced in large quantities, as a basis
for estimating the Army tonnage* which
may or may not be true as we have no Army
figures with which to make comparison, it
is estimated that Anchorage used*
Potatoes. Both local and shipped-in
for 12 months period, 1,400,000 pounds.
Lettuce. Local for four months sea
son, 700'crate* dt 72 pounds to the crate,
50,400 pounds.
Cabbage. Local for six months season,
30,000 pounds.
Average cost of commodities in Seattle:
Potatoes figured at .02 per pound,
$28,000. Freight at $1.52 per hundred
pounds, $21,280.
Lettuce, 700 crates at $3 per crate,
$2,100. Freight,50,400 pounds at $5,75
per hundred pounds, $2,913.12
Cabbage, 30,000 pounds at .06 per
pound, $1,800. Freight, $726.
This indicates a total of 1,480,400
pounds of produce taking up valuable
space on the ships coming to Alaska which
could be easily released for other defense
needs. It also indicates a total of
$56,819.12 in money,which we must remember,
is only a conservative estimate covering
ono locality and is going out of the Ter
titory though it would be a very welcome
assistance in developing a stable agri
cultural industry in the Territory.
To this add the amount that could be
produced in the Tanana Valley, Homer,and
other areas, for shipment to Ladd Field
and other points where troops are stationed.
It would amount to a considerable volume
in tonnage and revenue.
Also, in arriving at the freight, this
is based on the regular freight rates and
surcharge was not added."
Frank Pokorney spent Monday and Tuesday
in Anchorage on business.
"American food will be tho fifth column
worth 10 field armies," says Secretary
Wickard.