From the February, 1979 editions of The Skagway News (Vol. 1, No. 23-25)
White Pass denied federal funds
WHITEHORSE – The White Pass and Yukon Route will have to look to someon else besides the Canadian Government if it needs financial assistance to keep the railroad to Skagway operating after March. Canadian minister of the Department of Indian and Regional Affairs said in a release that he would not recommend the company’s request for $30 million to $50 million over the next five years to cover operating and capital costs. – Jan. 25, 1979
White Pass, UTU settle contract
The two and a half year contract dispute between the members of the United Transportation Union (UTU) and the White Pass and Yukon Route has apparently been settled. A statement released by the company Monday said that local UTU chairman Larry Jacquot and Harry Hoskins, industrial relations manager of the company, had reached a new collective bargaining agreement, “pending agreement to working of a severance clause.” – Feb. 1, 1979
School loses more students to Outside
The Skagway School enrollment decline is not getting any better. At Tuesday’s monthly school boar meeting, Superintendent Jim Reynolds reported that the school had lost five students since December and he epxects to lose five more in February. At present the enrollment for all grades is 195. – Feb. 1, 1979
Lynn Canal News, papers merge
If you’ve heard the one about The Skagway News and the Chilkat Valley News merger, blame us for the rumor. It’s true. Tentative date for the first publication of the Lynn Canal News, a weekly that will serve both Haines and Skagway, is March 1. The combined circulation of the weekly will be about 1,300 at the outset. The CVN has a circulation of about 900, and the Skagway News about 400.
In an editor’s comment Jeff Brady reported that his venture had been on “shaky ground” but had proved that Skagway was worthy of a paper. – Feb. 15, 1979
Editor’s note: The merger lasted until the summer of 1982, when the papers split up again. When this column resumes, we will have Skagway news clips from the old LCN. Just so you know, we now have an average circulation of over 950, and such a merger won’t happen again.
MORE SILVER ANNIVERSARY MOMENTS
• March 1978: Special Introductory Edition, Vol. 1, No. 1
• June 15, 1978, Vol. 1, No. 2 Skagway News & Skaguay Alaskan arrvie!
• July 3, 1978, Vol. 1, No. 3: Day boat causes stir, museum price goes to $1!
• August 1978 editions: Canadian Crew Reaches International Border!
• September 1978 editions: Highway opening, women rowers land, WP&YR needs $
• October 1978 editions: Oil Pipeline route proposed, Election and Runoff winners