Show alaskan market ernest gruening director of territories and island possessions in the department of interior believes there is an unfilled market in alaska for eskimo commodities fashioned of copper ivory furs and wood as well as woven baskets the native craftsmen to date do not supply the demand he said on return ng from a trip to alaska but under proper vocational guidance they could recapture this socially and economically useful field which belongs to them mr gruening said that while craft industries were not the chief eskimo eski mo revenue they were important sale of handmade goods enables the native indians and eskimos to obtain cash which is used to purchase supplies for fishing and hunting the occupations which provide their main source of livelihood three quarters of the totem poles sold to tourists in n alaska are made in the orient according to mr gruening a fact indicating a prevalence of foreign made goods he said establishment of native operatives cooperatives co would be a boon to individuals and communities |