A highly comendatory and very much appreciated letter endorsing
the efforts of Delegate James wickersham,of Maska.has fre-en issued
by the National Legislative Departments of Various labor organiza
tions and sent to the officers and members of these unions in Alaska
is signed by G/r'.Laughlin,Assistant Grand Chief of the Brother
g^Hiood of Locomotive Engineers; -VAD. Johnson,Vice President of Order of
> Railway Conductors;\rthur J.Lovell,Vice President of Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen; and Engineers; J,0.Farquharson,National Legislati' N
ve Representative Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen; and A.T.Etout*, .
National Legislative Representative of Brotherhooh of Mairitenance ^of
^ay Employees.
All these officials have their headquarters in Washington, T>,C
and keep a close study on all Congressional actions. It will be of
particular interest to fhe voters of Alaska to know what these labor
officials think cf the present Delegate from the northern Territory.
The letter lthey issued August 15, 1932,reads as follows:
* Dear ^irs and Brothers:
" In our entire national history there has been no political
campaign of more importance to the workers in all fields and the
citizens in all walks of life than the one .now in progress. This is
. particularly true in connection with those who will represent the
people in the next Congress. T"e earnestly desire to Assure you of
the exceptional OKS HUNDRED PER CENT RECORD for ability,integrity
and impartiality established and maintained throughout seven terms
of splendid service by your present Delegate to Congress,Honorable
JAKE~ WICKER3H J,r. He represented the Territory with distinction in
the 61st to the 66th Congrcsse inclusive,and returned as Delegate
to the 72nd Congress. Invariably we have found him-absolutely'depen- .
dablc,always ready to work and speak in support of righteous legis
lation,and j*ust as ready to oppose measures framed for the benefit
of special interests and against the common people. We have always
been at liberty to call upon him for counsel and advice, and his
profound knowledge of legal and legislative matters has. been of grt t
assistance to us. Foreover,we doubt whether any other man in public
life possesses Judge Vickcrsham's sympathetic understanding of the
problems and possibilities of the Territory of Alaska.^ On the basis
if his record, he richly merits the support of every voter in
Alaska,
" "e strongly urge that you all take a personal and active
interest in the re-election of Delegate Victorsham to the position
he so ably and impartially fills at the present time. Such legislat -
.—rs are always needed in the Halls -of Congress,and especially so in
these times of nationwide distress, vith nil due respect for for th. .
ambitions of other cmdidutes,you cannot afford to take any chances
of loosing the serviced in Congress of such m able and influential
legislator and outstanding friend ofj the' workers ,who is equally f ,ir
to all interests, v'e trust you to hojndle this matter with all possiUL
vie efficiency „nd to the end that all our members,their families and
friends,as well as all other working men and women,go to the polio
on November 8th and VOTE for our good friend Delegate T7ickershamt
who c ,n be depended upon to continue to defend our interests and
fight for the rights of the plain people," v
IS
Voting Precincts vt Copper Center and Chitina this year,.
Fr *”ickersh .m has promised' that when ho returns to Congress he
will try to hive the license rates for doing businesses in Alaska
graduated in proportion to the amount or size of the business, and
not a flat rate as it is now. General Merchandise Stores now pay
a license in proportion to the business done but all other business
pays a f’ltt rate. The smallest Hotels, Kestaur ,nts, Banks,Fe ^t
Markets; Drug rtores, Transfer Companies,etc. etc. pay the" same tax
* to do business as do the biggest ones in the territory. It would be
more fair to make the tax for doing business.in proportion to thd
size, of the business * hrc have never discussed this license matter
with anyone yet who thinks it is right. It would increase the
revenues’ of the Government a let as well as being more fair for nov.
the licenses are absolutely prohibitory in some cises ant- *re not
enuf for seme big establishments
”e have never he .rd of another place in the VTor\d where
» businesses arc all t -Xed the same'regardless of their, Bize . If thera
is my defense for this system we would sure like to-hear it.
There have been so mnnny supplies shipped into this section
this fall rd new sc many people re going out somewhere for the
winter,, there should be plenty for all who have the price.,