The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, March 9, 1949, Page 1

| HOUSE DEBATES L THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” JUNEAU, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1949 VOL. LXXIL, NO. 11,139 Prop GREATER DEFENSE PLANNED Declares No_rtfiand Is Most | Vifal of All Strafegic | Spots in Nation ' By CHARLES D. WATKINS WASHINGTON, March 9.—(P— Rep. Fisher (D-Tex) planned today to urge the House to approve an ample radar screen for Alaska, which he calls “the most vital of | all our strategic spots.” He said he would speak on the bill to provide a radar screen for the nation. He made his prepared | speech public, * though uncertain | just when he would talk. He said in it that Alaska needs more troops for defense against any sort of attack, and needs hous- ing not only for the military but slso for its civilian population. “There is no question today but that Alaska is woefully under- defended,” Fisher said. “There is no secret about that fact.” Is Open To Enemy “The Alaskan Command has pub- licly stated that the Territory is presently vulnerable to enemy thrust and that defenses are pres- ently inadequate to repel a possi- ble attack.” Fisher, who visited Alaska last summer and now is a member of the House Armed Services Commit- tee, said that from operating bases at Fairbanks an enemy could bomb most of the “industrial heart of America.” Alaska, he noted, is only 56 miles across the Bering Strait from the Soviet Union. Russians :inow All He said the Russians “are thorougly familiar with most all of the airfields and installations in the Alaska area, because more than 7.000 lend-lease planes were deliver- ed to Russian fliers at Fairbanksl during the war.” No one in the United States, he continued, knows just what the Russians are building across the Bering Straits, “but we do have reason to believe there is much ac- tivity in that area.” Russia’s Eulen Pield, he said, is only 200 miles from Nome, and the Soviet base of Anadyr, on the Si- berian Coast, is in the same vicin- ity. No American plane has been per- mitted to fly over that territory since 1944, he added. Wants Warning System He said Alaska needs a compre- hensive system for warning against the approach of enemy planes. But, he added, it would be a mis- take to depend too greatly on radar alone, and that troops must be there to operate the screen and defenses effectively. “We can no longer think of Al- aska as ‘a sort of sentry-base,” Fisher said. “Alaska is likely to be a major base in any future war. There is every reason to believe that such a war would see planes and missiles sent back and forth across the North Pole, “Let us not be lulled into false security by legislation such as the radar bill, nor by reports of techni- cal progress in planes, guided mis- siles or other weapons which may be used in the future battles over the top of the world.” “These things by themselves do not win wars. “They must be operdted, and de- fended, by men on the ground, who must, have adequate quarters for life in the Arctic Regions. v e ACS OFFICER HERE ON SUPPLY SURVEY Major Thomas Pugh, chief of the Alaska Communication System sup- ply division, left yesterday by Al- aska Coastal Airlines for Ketchikan after a four-day stay in Juneau. Major Pugh will return to his head- quarters in Seattle from Ketchikan. The Army officer came here from ‘Ancherage and the interior, where he has been surveying the supply situation in ACS units throughout the Territory. SHOCKED. BY BLOOD-STAINED CLEAVER which prosecution claims she used in killing husband, Betty Ferreri collapses outside Los Angeles cotrtroom where she is on trial for murder. As cleave) was shown jury she shrieked hysterically (International Soundphoto, CALIFORNIA IS HIT BY EARTHQUAKE SAN FRANCISCO, March 9.4 —An earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay area early today, causing no serious damage. But scores of burglar alarms went off, electrical fixtures swayed and rocks rolled off Telegraph Hill, and with considerable concern some San Franciscans recalled the great quake’ of 1906. There were two shocks felt be- tween 4:29 and 4:30 8. m,, from the Santa Clara Valley, 60 miles south of San Francisco, to Sacramento, 90 miles northeast. One house in the San Frnnclsco‘ Mission district, reported a‘ water | pipe broken as the house wall sway- ed. Light fixtures at the telephone building in the center of town swayed back and forth six inches. Mrs. Abundia Herrera, 48, of Holister, died of a heart attack which her physician said possibly was brought on by the quake. e Among the Chaideans, to cut the price of wine was punishable by a ducking. The Washington Merry - Go- Round BY DREW PEARSON (Copyright, 1949, by Bell Syndicate, Inc.) ASHINGTON— Sensational de- velopments are expected in Czecho- slovakia following Vishinsky's ap- peintment as Russian Foreign Min- ister . . . The U. S. Embassy in Prague reports Vishinsky has defin- itely decided that Czech Commun- ists are too independent, and that | Klement Gottwald, the present Communist boss of Czechoslovakia, must be purged. It's feared he will become another Tito . . . Vishin- sky is reported to have reached this conclusion during his three-week so-called “vacation” in Czechoslo- vakia at the resort town of Karls- bad. Actually, Vishinsky, apparent- ly knowing. he was to be named Foreign Minister, went to Czecho- slovakia not only to rest but to look into activities in a country which the Politburo considers the weak link- in a satellite chain arcund the Iron Curtain T A R S i (Cuntinued on Page Four) | SENATOR LYNG IS CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR Clarifying his position on his candidacy for Governor of Alaska, Senator Howard Lyng has sent the ollowing telegram which thorough- ly explains itself: Hon Joseph C. O'Mahoney Senate Office Building Washington, D. C. I appreciate submission of my 1ame as candidate for Governor of Alaska which was done under ap- srehension that Governor Gruening will receive appointment from the President to some higher office. 1 apprecite further the sup- port that has been given me by my friends in Alaska and, solicit your attention to that support. Howard Lyng, Democratic National Commit- teeman for Alaska, DEBATEON STATEHOOD DUESOON WASHINGTON, March 9.—(®— “egislation providing statehood for Alaska and Hawail may reach the stage of House debate later this month. The House Public Lands Com- mittee approved the measures yes- ‘erday, and Rep. Peterson (D-Fla) acting committee chairman, said he expected to ask the Rules com- mittee within a week or 10 days for final* clearance of the bill for House consideration. Last year the Alaska statehood bill was approved by the Public Lands committee, but the Rules committee failed to schedule it for House action before adjournment of Congress. Rep. Crawford (R-Mich), remark- ed that Congress already has prom- ised statehood to Hawaii and Al- aska by admitting them as Terri- tories. LEAVE FOR SEATTLE ABOARD PAA FLIGHT Leaving Juneau yesterday by Pan American Airways for’ Seattle were the following nine persons: Mrs. Thor Hofstad, Harry Madison, Dor- othy Bilbo, Ernie Whitehead, Mrs L. F. Morris and infant Barbara, Arthur Ozzman, Ray Rhodes and James Daniels. i But many of the big river's tribu- HUNDREDS HOMELESS BY FLOODS Rising, Radiig_Waters Re- ported in Four States ~Families Flee (By The Associated Press) Flood waters left hundreds home- less in four states today. % A new flood threat developed in Montana and rising waters plagued many areas of Nebraska, still reel- ing after 2 winter-long kout with weather’s elements. Surging waters from swollen streams spilled over thousands of acres of land in Nebraska, Iowa, vontana and Louisiana. But cold- €r weather in many parts of the midwest checked some of the over- flow. } ‘The Missouri River was generally below flood stage over its course through eight states from north- ern Montana to southern Illinois. taries were on a mild rampage. Minor floods were caused north | of Sidney, Mont. after ice 30 to 40 inches deep blocked the Yellow= stone River and sent water over its banks. Many Nebraska communities bat- tled the rising waters. At Beatrice, nearly 100 families were evacuated | 2s the big Blue River overflowed. ! Four of the eight schools in the city of 11,000 closed. 5 Other families fled their homes ‘n Seward and the , flood waters reached within two blocks of the business district of Crete, a college | town of 3,000. HOUSE RECEIVES THREE BILLS ON . DEADLINE DATE Three bills were introduced in the House this morning. This is the final day of the session for intro- duction of bills, The House Labor Committee pro- posed changing the Unemployment Compensation Board's name to Em- ployment Security Commission and increasing the number of members irom three to five. Two would rep- resent management, two labor and 2ne the public. No more than three could be of the came political party. Rep. Alfred Owen, Jr., Anchorage Democrat, introduced a new bill to :ighten what he described as a loop- nole in the lobbyist registration act. Reps. Doris Barnes and James Nolan of Wrangell introduced a bill | today seeking waiver on $11,000 of Wrangell school tonds held by the territory. The Wrangell legislators said the bonds were issued in 1931 for financing a school building, and ¢hat the interest paid to the terri- tory over the many years, until 1945, had amounted to more than the $11,000 of remaining unpaid bonds. Mrs. Barnes said Wrangell residents feel they are entitled to relief in view of the territorial policy of fi- nancing Schools in other towns while Wrangell has carried the load by itself. PNA FLIGHT TAKES 28 T0 WESTWARD Pacific Northern Airlines brought in three passengers from Anchorage and took out 28, including the Ju- neau High basketball team, to the Westward as follows: From Anchorage: Shirley Hous- er, WiZard A. Swanson, John Wiese. /AGAINST WALLGREN MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS mates (from left): JQUOR BILL THIRD DAY PRICE TEN CENTS CAIN SEEKS DREW! PEARSON IN CASE To Be Questioned Regard- | ing $50,000 Dice Game | ~Long Talk Starfed . ’ | WASHINGTON, March 9.—@—; Senator Cain (R-Wash.) demanded | teday that Columnist Drew Pearson be questioned under oath as to what he had said about a $50,000 dice gnme and Mon C. Wallgren. Cain wrote the Senate Armed Services Commiit:: saying Pearsonl had told him Wallgren won that much money in a crap game with Johnny Meyer, publicity man for Howard Hughes, West Coast aircraft and movie figure. Cain told that story on the Sen-| ate floor yesterday in a long speech | opposing Senate approval of Wall- gren to te chairman of the National Security Resources Board. Afterwards, (1) Wallgren said there was nothing to the story, and (2) Pearson said the Senator had: not quoted him correctly and was critical of Cain for what he called repeating the report “without check- | ing it.” Cdin’s letter to the Senate Com- mittee said: “I believe it only fair committee determine whether or not Pearson can with impunity accuse a United States Senator of telling a falsehood.” H Cain has declared he will make more and longer Senate attacks on Wallgren’s fitness to head the Re- sources Board. One big phase of Cain’s attack on the appointment of the former Washington State governor to the defense post required six hours and 45 minutes yesterday and last night It was the longest speech yet for the 81st Congress wiich stayed in session from noon until 9:04 p.m. Cain took the floor at 2:15 ‘and didn’t sit down until 9 p.m. Even 50, he was far short of the 16-hour goal he had set. PETIT JURY CALL IN DISTRICT COURT! The petit jury for the March To Gustavus: Bert Parker, Pearl Haynes, Bernie Heiten, Glen Hagga, Alice Heiten. To Anchorage: Charles LaGuax, Hilda Horn and infant, Burleigh Putnam, Maurice F. Powers, H. L. Thornton, Tom Morgan, John Hoff, | Dade Nickel, L. E. Avrit, Bill Grav- | es, Gus Adams, Bill Mickel, Milton Schultz, Bill Sperling, Dick Hansen, | Harold Sonderland, David Graves, Jerry Magority, Rod Pegues, Cata- |ino Barril, Joan Stewart, Charles McClellan and Barbara Reid, term of the District Court has been called to report tomorrow mommg| for duty. Jurors have been asked to report to the -office of the Clerk of the Court before 9:45 o'clock. First jury case on District Judge George W. Folta's trial calendar is set for Monday morning. R It is estimated that approximate- !y one million Americans are per-; manently disabled as a result of rheumatic discases, I and imperatively important that the | Biil,?he B»(fmnly_Man‘, | - Would MakeG_aIs»P‘ay o SENATE PAYS TRIBUTETO 0.D. COCHRAN Long Public Career of Late Senator from Second Di- vision Is Recognized By BOB DeARMOND Members of the Territorial Sen- ate this morning paid tribute to the memory of the late Senator O. D. Cochran by adopting a resolution, copies of which will be sent to a brother of the late Senator and to the Nome, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau and Ketchikan Bar Associa- tions. Senator Cochran, wno was born in Kansas, came to Alaska in 1800, He died on January 29, 1948. During his long career in Alas- ka he served as Mayor, City At- torney and U. 8. Commissioner at Nome, was a member of the House of Representatives in the 1921 ses- sion and of the Senate from 1937 until his death. He was also a mem- ber of the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska from 1939 until his death. Senators Lyng, Munz, Jones and Anderson are of the Second Divis- fon which Senator Cochran repre- sented during his career in the Legislature, Senator Collins, Jones and Ander- son spoke briefly on the career of the, late senator: “It was an inspiration to work with him in the Legislature. Deep- ly rooted in his own convictions, he was able, too, to see the point ot view of others,” Senator Collins said. “A kindly man, he will be long remembered by the people of Nome,” said Senator Jones, “He was a fearless man and a good man to come in contact with,” added Senator Anderson. “His death was a great loss to the people of the Second Division.” MEMORIAL INTRODUCED Senator Frank Barr this morning introduced a memorial addressed to the Territorial Highway Engi- neer and the Alaska Aeronautics and Communications Commission, seeking an allotment of $25,000 for airport construction at Kotzebue and Fort Yukon, the money to be used as matching funds for the purpose (Continued on Page Eight) BABY SITTING S. F. SEALS LEARN FINE POINTS IT TAKES SKILL to feed three-month-old twins as these San Francisco baseball players are learn- ing at the Seals Boyes Springs, Calif.,, training camp. Mickey Shofner, who hopes to be regular third baseman, has turned over chore of feeding twins Jeffrey (left) and Jennifer to these team- Jack Bacciocco, Mickey Rocco, Manny Perez and Steve Nagey. Roy Jarvis is standing in back. Mrs. Shofner and an older son, Mike, also are in camp. (International) ) | in Alaska? Lock out, girls! It's suggested— but possibly net too seriously—in a bill introduced in the House by Rep. William Egan of Valdez, whose other specialty is introducing bills for bounty on eagles. Under the title of “purpose and intent,” the bill says: “Wherens literally uorces of un- married female persons reside in the territory; whereas they should be charged for the privilege of re= { maining single; and whereas matri- meny is a grand institution, it is the intent .of this act to further the institution of matrimony, re- Jdeve the housing shortage and levy a tax on special privilege.” Author Egan kept a straight face as the bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. It was labeled es introduced “by re- quest.” Egan would not say by Whose request. P. B—Youre wrong girls Egan 1s married. ————r- 9 o 0 e 0 e 000 WEATHER REPORT (U. 8. WEATHER BUREAU This data is for 24-hour pe- riod ending 6:30 am. PST. In Juneau— Maximum, 44; minimum, 27, At Alrport— Maximum, 41; minimum, 23, FORECAST (Juneay and Vicinity) Mostly fair but with some high cloudiness this after- necon and Thursday. Highest afternoon near 45 degrees. Lowest tonight near 28 de- grees, PRECIPITATION (Past 24 hours ending 7:30 a.m. today In Juneau City — None; since March 1, 245 inches; since July 1, 94.45 inches. At the Airport None; since March 1, 1 inch; since July 1, 59.30 inches. STOCK QUOTATIONS NEW YORK, March 9.—(P—Clos- ing quotation of Alaska Juneau mine stock today is 3'i, American Can 91%, Anaconda 31'%, Curtiss- Wright 9%, International Harvest- er 24%, Kennecott 47, New York Central 11, Northern Pacific 14%, U. 8. Steel 72%, Pound $4.03%. Bales today were 600,000 shares. Averages tod: are as follows: indystrials 175 rails 47.97, util- {ities 34.97. - eee FROM VALDEZ Willlam Greer of Valdez i3 the Gastineay Hotel at osal Made for Radar Screen for Alaska COLLAPSES AT MURDER TRIAL NEW LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT {Amendment Would Creafe Policing Setup Under Attorney General By Jmmmw’“ Debate over the “not potato” liquor control bill ran into the third day in the House today as | new controversial amendment hit the floor. ; Speaker Stanley McCutcheon off-: ered an amendment this morning to create a new department of liquor enforcement ui the at- torney general. It would provide up to four deputies, with an enforce- ment office in each division. Their salaries would not be more than $6,000 yearly, and men with at least two years of college training are s It set off a new phase on the bill which already has ki the House bottled up through day - night, yesterday and night. Prior to McGuicheon's ament- ment to the bill that he referred to last night as “a hot potato,” House rejected on an 11 to 12 king to provide earma 10 of |cent of liquor license and tax [celpts for construction and opera- A 880 head tax on single females| tion of rehabilitation homes and aospitals for aleoholics. It came up again on McCutch- eon’s motion for reconsideration of the vote by which it failed last night. Opposition Starts McCutcheon’s law enforcement di- vision immediately ran into op- position from Rep. Frank Anger- man, Fairbanks Democrat, who as- sailed the college-educated proviso and falled in an attempt to get the amendment changed to provide op- eration of the division under the reasurer instead of the attorney zeneral, In arguing for his amendment, McCutcheon declared: “I think Alaskans would be whole heartedly for a department of liquor enforcement. The only way to do the job is to set up a division for it. Enforcement be longs to the attorney general.” Angerman argued that an en- forcement setup already is provided under the treasurer, but the barrier to its work has been a $20 monthly salary maximum. McCutcheon re- plied that the treasurer’s enforce- ment provision was a hold-over trom the era when liquor stamps provided the chief assignment. In criticizing the college educa- tion requirement, Angerman declar- xd it would create an unjust bar- rier; that comparatively few Alaska residents could qualify, and that some legislators “haven’t even completed high school educations, but still are qualified to make laws.” McCutcheon said the aim was to zet the highest possible calibre of personnel, iamiliar with legal prob- lems. Debate on the amendment was tc continue this afternoon. NIGHT SESSION The liquor bill narrowly averted indetinite postponement last night. {The vote was 12 to 11 in favor, but the chair ruled 13 votes were re- quired to apply the coup de grace to the bill. One of . the votes for indefinite postponement was by Taylor, the sponsor of the measure, so he would have been in position to move for reconsideration if the motion had prevailed. The others who voted for post- {ponement were Angerman, Barnes, Egan, Franklin, Gundersen, Hope, {Jensen, Prank L. Johnson, Ipaloek, | Miscovich, Rydeen. Mrs. Gundersen made the post- ponement motion. Yesterday afternoon brought a flood of amendments to the bill and last night's session brought a flood of words. Fifteen amendments were offered during the afterncon and oight were adopted. Continued on Page 2) Kept Mon- | Inst . PROPOSAL UP