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Their total production was used to supply the communities' individual 

 lumber needs. Tourism consisted of passenger vessels, which also carried 

 freight. There were some three dozen of these vessels that served 

 Southeast Alaska, many of them only from May to September. Tourism ceased 

 during World War II and was very slow to rebound. In fact, there was no 

 significant tourism until shortly before Statehood (1959). 



There were several "boom and bust" construction cycles following 

 the war. These were due to a military buildup and the establishment of an 

 Defense Early Warning System. 



Although most of these defense projects were in the interior part 

 of Alaska, many Southeasterners went north to work on the projects. They 

 left their families home. Actually, there were many career construction 

 workers living in Southeast Alaska who prospered and suffered during these 

 boom and bust situations. 



Prior to World War II, the Caucasian population was small. Men 

 outnumbered women as much as ten to one in some areas. As a consequence, 

 prostitution flourished. There was a "line" in every city, a "line" 

 referring to the rows of houses of ill repute. They were allowed to 

 operate without interference from the law until the mid-fifties. 



The canneries imported most of their labor from the lower 48 

 states. This labor force was mostly made up of Filipinos, who worked, 

 ate, and slept on the cannery property. They left the state at the end of 

 each season with all of their earnings. Local Natives, and some older 

 Alaska high school students were also used. 



The canneries' fish traps were raping and reaping the salmon 

 resources. This practice went on almost unchecked. If it were allowed to 

 continue, we would not have the fishing we enjoy today. The Territory of 

 Alaska had no authority to abolish fish traps. That was one of the 

 predominant reasons there was such a clamor for Statehood. The fish traps 

 were eliminated in 1959 after Statehood was achieved. 



Written Testimony 

 April 25, 1988 

 Page 2 



