The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, March 12, 1949, Page 1

Bkt oo SATURDAY 1P.M. Edition SE— VOL. LXXIL, NO. 11,142 “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE ——— SATURDAY 1 P.M. Edition JUNEAU, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1949 MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS PRICE TEN CENTS Legislature May Continue for 2 Extra Weeks $4 TONNAGE LEVY VOTED U. ALASKA REGENTS CONCLUDE FOUR-DAY JUNEAU SESSIONS FORJOAISM Take A;Iicalions for House Passes Bill fo Give Fishermen Special Consideration By JIM HUTCHESON The House voted 21-2 last night to give fishing boat owners special consideration under the new Gener- al Property Tax by allowing an al- ternative of paying $4 per ton in- stead of 10 mills on valuation. Estimates given on the floor were that the provision might mean nothing to some boats, but would cut the tax on some large ones to a quarter or third of what other- wise it would be. Debate mostly ranged legislators from mining areas against those from the Southeastern Alaska fish- ing area. The House passed by big major- ities bills by Rep. Clarence Keat- ing providing for recall petitions against municipal officers and re- moval of all elective Territorial of- ficials by legislative impeachment } trial. Governor Gruening meanwhile announced signing into law a bill raising old age pensions to $80 per month. Other measures passed by House included: Unanimous approval of a mem- orial to the Highway Engineer for action to get a suitable small boat the harbor for Douglas (by Jensen snd‘ Franklin). Passage of a bill by Jack Con- Presidency Until May 12 —Report Made The Board of Regents of the Uni- iversity of Alaska announced after conclusion of its four-day session | that, additional applications for the i presidency of the University will be |received until May 12. A statement issued by the board Isays “Considerable discussion was held regarding selection of a suit- able successor to Dr. Charles C. Bunnell as president. A good many applications have been received to date. A plan was established whereby committees within the board were appointed to expedite details.” Board President Andrew Nerland of Fairbanks said unanimous ap- proval of the five members pres- lent was given to an understanding reached with the United States De- partment of Agriculture’s research administration on establishment cf a joint research program on agri- {cultural problems of Alaska. i The board is recommending to the Legislature an increase of salar- jies for administrative and faculty members. Other these: Don L. Irwin was appointed di- rector of the Agricultural Experi- iment Station of the University, ef- i fective July 1 with direction jAlaska and Federal research pro- igrams. ° July 1 was set as the date for announcements included Tthe ceremony honoring Dr. Bunnell upon assuming the status of* Presi- of { right for loan of $1,200,000 from} the ‘general fund to the Veterans’ dent Emeritus, with Herb Hilscher revolving fund at a $50,000 monthly ' of Fairbanks named chairman of the rate, to be repaid at the same rate, |arrangements committee. (CURBING OF. |TOBACCO TAX FILIBUSTER | IS APPROVED IS DEFEATED BY SENATORS1 | Administration Loses Fight | ity Sales Tax Enablin_g_Bill?, —Truman's Civil Rights and Change of Election Seems Doomed | Day Also Passed A tobacco tax, covering cigarettes,i jcigars, snuff and all other forms of the weed will probably be the next tax act on the books in the Terri- tory, following its passage by the Senate (vesterday afterncon. The vote un the measure was unanimous. The measure had previously passed | the House, which is expected to; concur in a minor amendment mads iby the Senate, after which the blll; will go to the Governor for approv- al. The rate of tax is 3 cents on a standard package of 20 cigarettes; 11 to 5 cents each on cigars, depend- ing upon the retail price, and 2 cents per ounce of tobacco or snut&! The rate came close to being 5| cents per package of cigarettes or| |50 cents per carton. The Senate |adopted an amendment by Senator Steve McCutcheon for the increased rate was adopted by a 9-7 vote, af- ter which there was a right-atout-, face and the action was rescinded by an 11-5 vote. Another McCutcheon amendment, | | | | WASHINGTON, March 12—®— Senate Majority Leader Lucas (D- Ill) decided today to push ahead —for the time being—with the at- tempt to outlaw fiiibuster by tight- eninz Senate rules. Despite a resounding defeat last night by a combine of Southern Democrats and Republicans, Lucas said: “We are going ahead and jprobably will hold another night sessicn tonight.” Lucas talked to reporiers after a! closed-door strategy session of {northern and other Democrats tack- ing President Truman's Civil Rights program. At the same time Senator Russell (D-Ga.), floor general for Southern Demccrats, who won the first test in the anti-filibuster fight, told re- porters his group is open to “any !reuonable compromise.” Previously administration lead-| ers had indicated they felt the civil rights program may have been as good as defeated after losing last|(, gyo¢ nait of the revenues from: night's battle to gag filibustering. |6 ¢oxaco0 tax to the Veterans' Re- | Two showdown votes, both 46 w{volving Fund, was voted down. Thei 41, in favor of the Dixle lawmak- |y yrovies that all revenues shalll ers, defeated administration effortsi . y;i; o fund for the construction to gag debate with a rules chzmgelaf school facilities. { and left senate leaders with a tough | Senator John Butrovich, chairman | dpcimion: of the Finance Committee, estimat-| Should they continue the tight bring in ap-| and try to outlast the Southerners ol iak Sha. tax wilh 7 v in the current filibuster now in. its twelfth day, or should they con- | cede defeat and get on with import- year. MUNICIPAL BiLLS proximately a half million dollars als starting in 1956. Commissioner | Willlam Elmhirst Duckering will 1ant bills like rent control and labor Two House-approved bills pertain- (sl Qua Above is the architect’s darwing by Fess and Malcol n ¢f the Juneau Community Building, Inc,, the new office building te house the District Headquarters of the 17th Coast Guard. Third Street between the Juneau Hotel and Territorial Building. started sometime next month. rd Office Building (GOVERNOR ~ ASKED FOR EXTENSION Both House and Senate Re- ! quest More Time to Work [ on Pendigg_Measures BULLETIN— Governor Gruening told a joint session of the legisla- | ture this noon he would issue special session call today, but sub- Jject to rescinding on the final day of the regular session if it ap- J pears unnecessary. | He said: “Frankly, I am not in | favor of a special session.”.. He pro- | posed the legislature “try fto | streamline your procedure in the /12 remaining days so the special { session may be avoided,” possibly ! by appointment of a joint commit- R < tee to give priority rating to major The buildin; il § Constracicn . expested to e | He puid tribute o the gl | lature’s achievements and for “your % desire to finish the job.” Gruening Confirmation Seems Assured; Monday | FOR MONDAY; _ Is Oppq sifion Deadline LICENSE TAX IS APPROVED BY SENATORS The Business License Tax, the Floyd Guertin said some such fin- { receive an honorary degree of doc- ancing was essential to save theitor of engineering at commence- revolving fund. The vote was 21 ment. to 2, with Reps. Rydeen and Mis-' FProf. Earl Beistline, son of Mr. covich against. {and Mrs. Ralph Beistline of Juneau, Unanimous passage of another is named dean of the School of bill by Conright to allow veterans'|Mines, effective July 1. law changes now piling up? Whatever their decision, Presi- dent Truman’s Civil Rights pro- gram seemed doomed. ing to municipalities were passed by the Senate—a sales tax enabling bill and a bill to permit the chang- ing of municipal election dates. ithird and last of the “basic” tax bills of the present session, was passed by the Senate this/morning by a vcte of 14 to 2, Senators Jones The sales tax bill—which merely | allows municipalities to leyy the! tax if 55 percent of the voters ap- loans on security other than a mortgage on the property purchas- ed. Passage 21 to 2 of a hill to pro- vide the public welfare director get the same salary that other prin pal department heads do, and pro- viding that he need not be an Al- i The Board of Regents set May |12 as the date for its next meeting. i Presemt at the Juneau sessions, besides President Nerland, were W. |'T. Stuart, Ketchikan; William A. {O'Neill, Anchorage; Leo F. Rhode, Juneau; Dr. C. Earl Albrecht of Ju- ‘neau, recently appointed to succeed prove—squeaked by on a 9-7 vote,: which prompted Senate President (o"(lllATIo“ o" | Engebreth to take the floor to rep-i (rimand his colleagues. i He expressed himself as unable | JSC-ILWU DISPUTE| to understand the negative votes on a bill that required a referendum of | {the voters before its provisions and Munz voting againgt the bill. The measure must now go back to the House for adoption or re- Jection of amendments made by the !Senate, after which it will go to the Governor. Senator John Butrovich served notice on his colleagues his morn- ing that he will vote for no more tax bills this session. “I think we can balance the bud- J. W. Gilson of Valdez, resigned, |and Dr. Bunnell, ex-officio mem- ber. aska resident, but must be trained and qualified. Tax Argument The issue of amending the prop-! Absent were Mrs. Luther C. Hess, erty tax to let boat owners pay on |secretary, and A. E. Lathrop, both a $4 tonnage basis brought as m\wh!“ Fairbanks, and M. J. Walsh of argument as the issue of calling for { Nome. a special session. The only two votes against the tax concession were Reps. Angerman and Dale, both Fairbanks Democrats. Reps. nets before and after the season.” In reply to a statement that miners’ caterpillars should be William Flint, President of the Juneau Sawmill Workers Local No. 271, has advised the Territorial De- partment of Labor that there will be a regular meeting of the Local in the C. I. O. Hall at 7:30 this eve- ning. At this time President Flint will present the Department’s request Franklin and Conright also voted‘ “nay” but changed before the re- sult was announced, apparently as a ccmplimentary gesture to the salty, dramatic plea of Rep. Ches- ter (Red) Carlson, veteran Cordova | fisherman. Carlson chided them: “I can see| the miners from the Fourth Division are refreshingly ignorant about fishin. They like to talk about how we work 30 days for a year’s pay, but they forget the long months of work with the boats and The Washington Merry - Go- Round, By DREW PEARSON (Copyright, 1949, by Bell Syndicate, Inc.) Ed. Note~The brass ring, good for one free ride on the Wash- ington Merry-Go-Round, today goes to the Vice President of the United States, Alben Bark- ley.) W{«smncmu— Vice President Barkley is a kindly, much-loved Kentucky gentlemen, not given to feuds. However, he is having a slight altercation with Capitol nrchl-l tect avid Linn. Mr. Linn wants Barkley to move out of the tradi- tional Vice President’s office into more modern quarters, but the Vice President refuses to budge. He is in love with the ancient but histor- ical room for one quite special rea- son. Hanging in the Vice President’s room are two magnificent. chandel- jers, made of highly polished glass prisms and brought to this country i b A (Continued on Page Four) 851 that the full membership of the eligible for special consideration “|Sawmill Workers Union give con- boats, Carlson jibed: sideration to the question, “Shall “You tie a cat up at night and |0 1w -CIO. Local M-271 ap- are sure it will be there in the .,;; 4 committee from its member- imorning when you come back. It's | i, 1, meet with a similar com- not that way with a boat.” Senate Acuon uncertain | The $4 tonnage proposal was be- i fore the legislature at the time the iproperty tax bill passed, and was rejected, so the amendment’s fate lln the Senate is uncertain. ‘ Effective -arguments for the ton- inage tax were also madesby Reps. {Hope and Frank G. Johnson, who described the uncertainities they had experienced as boat owners. Rep. Nolan argued for the ton- nage tax on the basis of ease of lcollection. He said tonnage figures were available at Customs, but that the job of assessing boats, with their wide range of values and wide diiferences in depreciation, would be a major headache. He predicted the territory could be ahead finan- cially on the lower tonnage basis. iHe also joined ‘fishermen members in predicting the straight property value tax will drive some of the larger boats to Seattle for registra- tidh. Rep. Jensen argued that a boat {would have to be run into drydock )or onto a grid for accurate ap- praisal. Rep. Franklin challenged the con- tention that boats might be taken outside Alaska for registration. He argued that they couldn’t afford to fdo it for the tax saving because 'then they would have to pay non- resident fishing licenses, a claim which. was challenged promptly. | Johnson said the situation is get- ting so precaricus for boat owners {that “in,a few years the Territory is going to have to subsidize the ifishing ileet,” [ 1 mittee from LL.W.U.-CILO. Local 1-16, for the purpese of arriving at an understanding or agreement be- tween the two locals which will serve as the basis for conciliation efforts by the Department of Labor to settle the dispute between the LL.W.U. Local 1-16 and the Juneau lSpruce Corporation?” R EXTENSION MINING COURSE IS PLANNED Of great interest to many in and near Juneau is announcement by B. D. Stewart, head of the Terri- torial Department,of Mines, that a two-week extension course in mining will be given here, probably start- ing about March 21. The brief course, usually given by Leo ‘Saarela, University of Alas- ka instructor in mining extension, will be by Earl Fosse, well-known Ketchikan mining engineer. - Fosse has taken over the mining extension work temporarily. Saar- ela having gone outside for several months following the recent death of his father. Like the present course at Peters- 1burg, the Juneau instruction will be in minerology, identification of min- erals, and the simpler aspects of !opening a prospect. For the Petersburg course, Stewart |sent one of the Department’s Gei- ger counters, which will be used in| the classes here, get with the revenues we have pro- vided and the use of a little com- ;mon sense,” he said. Also passed by the Senate was a $50,000 appropriation to purchase the need for the legislation, and remodel to Tower Apartments, The town of Sitka is in particu-|2djoining the Pioneers’. Home at lar need of it, Mayor Hendrickson!Sitka, to provide additional facilities said, since a sales tax is being col-!‘or either men or women. lected there on a voluntary basis; The Senate went back into ses- could te carried into effect. Mayor Waino Hendrickson of Ju- neau, representing the mayors of Southeast Alaska municipalities, ap- | peared before the Senate to explain and without legal foundation. 1 SCHOOL DISTRICTS Senator MacKenzie raised the question of amending the bill to ex-l tend the enabling privilége to in- dependent school districts. The At-‘ torney General was called in to gl\'el information on the matter and it| was decided that a separate bil should be introduced for that pur- pose. i Mayor Hendrickson also nppearedl before the Senate in regard to H. A two-week coal shutdown will start: B. 51, which would enable munici-(in the Ewst Monday as John L.!| palities to change the date of elec- Lewis’ latest protest against Presi-| sion at 2 p. m. today. JOHN L. CALLS 2-WEEK STOPIN MINE INDUSTRY WASHINGTON, March 12—®— tions of municipal officers and to{dent Truman’s selection of James elect mayors and councilmen fori longer terms than at present. Boyd as Bureau of Mines director. Lewis’ announcement stirred swift The House bill to create a Fisher-|demands in Congress to keep a big ies Board for the Territory wasjclub against major strikes in the scheduled by the Senate for a Com- mittee of the Whole hearing next Tuesday at 11 o'clock. ! R e e~ 0 0 0 @ 0 0 o WEATHER REPORT (U. 8. WEATHER BUREAU This data is for 24-hour pe- riod ending 6:30 am. PST. In Juneau— Maximum, 50; minimum, 22. At Airport— Maximum, 47; inimum, 22. FORECAST (Juneau and Vicinity) Continued fair this after- noon and Sunday with occa- sional gusty northeasterly winds. Highest temperature this afternoon near 48. A little cooler Sunday. PRECIPITATION (Past 24 hours ending 7:30 a.m. today In Juneau City — None; e since March 1, 245 inches; o since July 1, 94.45 inches. o At the Airport — None; o' since March 1, 1 inch; e} since July 1, 59.30 inches. {impending labor law. But it caused | little concern over the loss of fuel. An abnormal 45-day supply is on band; about 70,000,000 tons of bi- tuminous coal. A 30-day backlog is considered normal. ‘The move was another in a long series of Lewis’ attacks against the ed a 50 per cent cut from 1948 and nomination of Boyd, appointed to|fishermen felt a larger catch could the post in March, 1947. Except for five months, he has been serving without the usual $10,000-a-year salary, Lewis insists Boyd is not suited for the post because he has never ac- due to arrive Sunday afternoon or tually worked in ‘the mines. — e — SCOUT TROOP ONE WORKING ON QUILT Girl Scout Troop 1 held their regular weekly meeting at the Gov- ernor’s mansion Thursday. are making a quilt, of which part is now on display in the window of the Tot-to-Teen shop. Girls All were reminded of the Jul- fette Low party to be held at the! Presbyterian church today. The ® gession adjourned at 5 o'clock. «~ Dat Swecney, Reporter. WASHINGTON, March 12.—(®— Senator Butler (R-Neb), says that “unless responsible persons appear to oppose" the nomination of Gov. terior committee “will go ahead and confirm him.” Chairman O'Mahoney (D-Wyo) | told a reporter the Committee would act Monday. He said, “Nothing has been filed with the against Governor Gruening.” Butler is ranking Republican on the committee. It this week post- poned action until Monday to pro- vide an opportunity for any op- posing Gruening to testify against the nomination. “The point of postponing action until next Monday,” Butler said, “was to determine if there has been sufficient evidence that responsible persons will appear to oppose Gov- ernor Gruening’s nomination. If we don’t have such witnesses we will go ahead and confirm him.”| Meantime, the committee was| getting many telegrams concerning the nomination. It declined, how- ever; to make them public. Bartlett said he has not seen the telegrams, Delegate Bartlett of Alaska pre- dicted Gruening will be approved by the Senate, /i R RN committee | | 'May Increase " Herring Quola WASHINGTON, March 12.—®— t After conferring with Albert Day, chief of the Fish and Wildlife Serv- ice, Rep. Jackson (D-Wash.) pre- dicted yesterday that the Alaska herring quota for 1949 would be in- creased. ¥ i He said that fishermen blame the poor catch of last year on ktad weather, not a lack of fish. The Service previously recom- mencded that this year's catch be held to 150,000 barrels in Southeast | Alaska, 250,000 barrels in the Ko- |diak area and 100,000 barrels in the | Prince Willlam Sound region. | Jackson said this quota represent- be safely authorized. > | STEAMER MOVEMENTS | Princess Norah from Vancouver is | evening. Alaska scheduled to sail from Se- attle today. Baranof southbound 4 R Gt P *DIVORCE ACTION | In an action 1iled yesterday in | District Court, Dave P. Ohmer of Petersburg seeks a divorce from | Nellle. Ohmer, ~ charging cruelty. Henry Roden of Juneau represents th€ plaintiff, The Ohmers were married in Sep~ from west scheduled | | p! m. Sunday. Ernest Gruening of Alaska for an-l After the joint session, the House voted 13 to 9 against a metion to An “extraordinary extension ses- sion” of the Legislature, up to thir- teen days in length, merely a rumor at noon yesterday, became a dis- tinct possibility—even a probatil- ity—by last evening after it receiv- ed majority approval in both the House and the Senate. Rep. Doris Barnes set off the con- troversy over a special session call anew in the House this morning Iwith a motion that the House re- GREATNIGHT Will Celebrafe Past Mast- er’s Night-Annual other four year tetm the Senate In-; {Juneau No. 147. Occurrence. Monday will see the annual re- currence of Past Masters’ Night | with the Masonic Blue Lodge, Mt.} This annual occurrence is always celebrated on the regular meeting night nearest the Charter date of | the lodge which is March 15, 1905. Past Masters will occupy the offi- | cers chairs for the exemplification | lscmd its request for the overtime. “I think we will"go down in his- tory as completely damned if we have a third session,” she declared. She had voted dor the session call last night, but said today that mem- bers did not have full information at that time; that the Senate is pick- ing up speed in considering bills and skould be able to finish on time. Democratic supporters of the ses- sion call replied that the session call would be “insurance” if a few of the degree work. exti The festivities will commence(“’; r:,:;,? ls:x;:;l:fl:;n;‘e:ed 'mfi: with a Special Communication at 4!, any overtime u:s:hmey L babl o'clock in the Masonic Temple, at o 10y SVMEhe session probably whic.h time the preliminary \nma-‘ml_ee days sl ol tion'of two candidates will be com- 5 . pleted. A dinner will be served to| %0t O% Mre. e e all Masons on the Channel at 6:30 in the Temple Dining Room. The‘ dinner will be served under the auspices of the Eastern Star with | Mrs. Ray Day in. charge. ll At 7:30 a Stated Communication will be held at which time the de- gree work will be completed on the ! two candidates. ' It is pointed out that the Juneau | Masons invite all Masons on the Channel to attend this annual{ event. 4 imade to locate two atsent members under a ‘“call of the House.” Just before the close of yester- day's Senate session, Senator Steve McCutcheon moved “that the Gov- ernor of Alaska be instructed to call a special session of the Legislature for a period of not to exceed two weeks immediately following termi- naticn of the regular session for the purpose of considering fully legisla- tion which is pending and already introduced and which may not be considered at the present session.” There was considerable opposition to the motion, but not encugh to B-36 RECORD NON-STOP RUN ESTABLISHED FORT WORTH, Tex., March 12. stop its adoption by a 9-7 vote, Re- publican Senator Anita Garnick joining the eight Senate Democrats on the prevailing side. FS i “We went through one special session without any results and I intend to leave here on March 26,” Senator Collins announced. Rays of hope for avoiding the spe- cial session were shéd by several —M—A giant B-36 bomber withlof the senators, who felt that, by two of its six engines dead, landed |pitching in with some early and at Carswell Air Base here at 7:57)late sessions, the work can be clean~' am. (C8T) today dfter a record|ed up by March 24, when the regu- non-stop, non-refueling 9.600-mile|lar 19th session will come to a flight over the United States { close, It was the longest non-stop lln,'ht' Senator Lyng, who voted to ask for ever made by a B-36. the special session, klamed the The sensational flight exceeded by House for the current log-jam of 687 miles a similar simulated tomb- !Xegixlxuve proceedings. run flight from Fort Worth to| “The Senate has kept its calendar Honolulu and retwrn made last in, d shape and hasn’t needed to Dec. 6-7, ending on Pearl Hartor|puf' in extrg hours,” Senator Lyng Day. said. “It is the House that has the The great silver ship climbed into| cluttered = ealendar. They wasted the air at 12:20 pm. (CST) Thurs-.three days on a liquor bill and now day and flew, 43 hours and 37 min- /have almost a hundred measures to utes, carrying a 10,000-pound Bomb | dispose of.” i 5000 miles, The bombs were jetti-| It was generally agreed that, with soned in the Gulf of Mexico at 1:15 some diligent work, the Senate can p.m. yesterday, after 24 hours and|keep its head above the legislative 55 minutes of flight. tide during the next two weeks, and Two propellers were still as the'to show that they are serious about 139-ton plane came in for a gentle it, the senators agreed to start work landing. Carswell Air Base said it at 9:30 this morning. carried fuel for two more hours of! HOUSE APPROVES flying. A call for a special session was" R - approved 16-7 in the House during The Army tug LT 362 came out the night session last night. Repub~ of drydock this morning after a lican George Miscovich and Demo- general overhauling. On Monday crats Angerman, Dale, Franklin, the FS 238 is going into dry dock Jensen, Nolan and Rydeen voted tember, 1946, i for general repair for the coming against the resolution requesting season, ancther special session. "