The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, June 9, 1950, Page 2

PAGE TWO 3 THE STATEHOOD| HEARINGS No. 3 By BOB DE ARMOND Not only Alaska but the entire United States could be better de- fended if Alaska were a state. That was the thesis of a number of the pro-statehood people Who testified before the Senate Com- mittee on Interior and Insular Affairs in Washington during the last week of April The _defense was worked especially hard by the witnesses on the first day the hearing. The Senators generally did not take to the notion that statehood would make much difference one way or the other in the defense picture. Following that expression from the Senators, the defense arguments were kept pretty well in she back- ground during the next few days They ware revived by Governor Gruening, the last witness to ap- pear: The Senators remained un- convinced. “Yes” Said the General In addition to the general wit- nesses, two professional military men were called to tell about statehood as it may pertain to national defense The first of these was Lieuten- ant General Nathan F. Twining Commander-in-Chief, Alaskan Comn- mand The General said: “I feel state- hood for Alaska would help the military. For one reason, it would improve the economy and the pop- ulation in Alaska, and would be a great asset to military develop- ment. We could obtain more ma- terials from increased economy in Alaska, we would not have to send it up from the States It would be cheaper to build up there. Mor people up there would help, and a more stable form of government would help. I think that is about it “No” Said the Admiral On the other side of this ques-| tion, Rear Admiral Ralph Wood (retired), U. S. Navy, took the stand. During a part of World War II he was Commandant of the 17th Naval District, comprising ally of Alaska The Admiral said: “I think all military strategists concede the im- - portance of the Alaskan position. I hold to these opinions. But to becloud the matter of the format of this particular bill by insist- ing that it and it alone only will assist the National Defense is defi- nitely not a service to clarifica- tion. ®t has been stated that state- hood for Alaska is now going to bolster somehow the National De- fense. In my opinion it makes no difference whether Alaska is a state or a territory as far as National Defense is concerned. As a matter of fact, since the federation of the original 13 colonies, the com- mon defense has been just that. “Our plans, purposes, policies and practices in the common defense have been effected without regard to sectionalization “Were Alaska to become 'a state tomorrow, it would not alter, I am sure, the general overall consider- ation of our defense problems.” Other Views Differ is not the first time, Thi of course, that members of two bran-| Senator ches of the military service have disagreed It is interesting to note that the General's opinion is sup- ported by the Secretary of Defense, while the Senators went along with the views of the Admiral. Louis Johnson, Secretary of De- fense, said in a letter to Senator O'Mahoney, which is included the record: “It is obvious that the more stable a local government can be the more successful would be the control and defense of the area in case of sudden attack. jabout defense was the in THE NE these modern 15-s! In this statement the Secretary of Defense seems to believe that Alaska, as a territory, has no forces of law and order, or to feel that state law officers, such, as sheriffs and deputies, would be more effi- cient and effective than the present Federal officers, the Marshals and their deputies, Both the General and the Sec- retary mentioned the advantages of having a stable government in the event of attack. It is a little ditficult to fit this into the prob- abilities of events under attack conditions. Almost certainly mar- tial law would be declared at once and most if not all of the functions of local government would be taken over by the military—for the dur- ation. And this would likely hap- pen to a state just as certainly as it would to a territorial govern- ment. The Voice in Congress What was stressed by most of the pro-statehood witnesses who talked help that could be given the national defense program by a couple of senators and a representative fyom Alaska. One of these witnesses was Will- iam L. Baker of Ketchikan, who opened his statement by annuonc- ing that “ I was put on more or less as surprise witness—a su prise to myself.” From this may assume that he went along to Washingten merely for the cheap a appearing as a witness. Baker told the Senators: know that the Soviets and the Sov- ie warfare.” He went on to give some examples of Russian progre in the Arctic, “How would statehood general situation?” Sen- ator Anderson wanted to know. Baker: “I think two Senators from Alaska could tell you some of the things perhaps that you are not hearing about our defenses up there.” He recited a number of examples of what he asserted to have been military bungling Senator Ecton: “Whether you are a territory or state does not always correct that situation.” Anderson: “It would be Ithe same defense establishment, |would it not, that would have to {do these things?” Baker: “Some of the staff offi- |cers told me they can not make {much of a dent in the Pentagon here because 96 Senators do not always see the wi that our two mythical Senators would see them.” Senator Butler: “A lot of the 96 Senators do not make a dent in the Pentagon, too.” { Senator Anderson: “You seem to There can.be no question but that in the event of an attack any state would immediately be aided in the initial stages of the emergency by | the effective use of the state and | local instrumentalities of law order.” and feel that if you had two Senators |down here, you could persuade the National military establishment not to use its best judgment as tc where to put their facilities but to put them in Alaska. I don't be- lieve that is the way it would work out. I have had experience with Fares Anchorage Kodiak Homer Naknek A. B. 104.50. Reduced One Way Round Trip 113.40. 176.40. 144.00. 188.10. 63.00. 98.00. 80.00. it ride ‘and without any intention of move their people in, they will not “We then they can sta ! | alone are masters of Arctic|say | \ i that change thelyou can conduct a war, perhabs | | | representation BT W GERMAN Y_Aarising from the rubble of bomb-batiered Hamburg, Germany, oty apartment houses were built in 1949 to ease the city’s housing shortage. the National Defense Senator Lehman: “I believe the defense establishment knows best what is good for defense, much pettét than any Senator or Con- gressman.” Senator Anderson: “We feel that} planning of defense is something which can not %e done by the individual members of the United States Senate but has to be done by the top military staff.” Senator Malone: “I do not know that it would change my attitude in the Senate, and I do not know of anyone that would change their attitude toward defense if Alaska were a state instead of a territory.” the over-all Defense issue Revived Except for brief references to it, defense was not brought up agdin until the last day of the hearing, when Governor Gruening revived the issue. After sketching the hi3- tory of the Excursion Inlet base the Galena airfield and other bung- led military projects in Alaska, the Governor said he thought some in Congress would prevent such mistakes in the fu- ture. The Senators did not agree: Senator Anderson: “I want to assure you that it does not al- work that way. I can point to a project right now and I have two or three times pointed out to the military that when they get all the houses built and start to have a domestic water supply, but 't to demolish it.” Senator Butler: “I would like to that during the time of war everything is yielded to the mili- tary and they are placed in com- mand. That is about the only w¥y ors are bound to be made. T¥e errors have not all been made in Alaska by any means.” | Senator Lehman: “I do not think there is any doubt in any of the minds of anybody that Al- from a defense standpoint, is a vital spot. The defense of Alaska is extremely important. 1 think the only question is whether | you can get that defense any more | surely as & state than you can as a territory, I believe that the| Congre: and the people of the| country are going to follow the judgment of the experts in mili-} aska, | flown here from Ketchikan last| THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE—JUNEAU, ALASKA Land grants and control of nat- ural resources are of great interest to most Alaskans. testimony on these matters will be summarized in the next article. NEW ROW CANNING INDUSTRY (Continued from Page One) illegal contract,” Atkinson said. John Geisness, attorney for the AFL union, declared the hiring plan was “conceived under pressure | from an iliegal secondary baycott{ conducted by the ILWU, Union Repudiates Plan He said his union also had repu- diated the hiring plan after co- yperating in trying to “make it workable and lega! The new dispute came as purse seiners started leaving for Alaska, after members of Local 3, Inter-| national Fishermen and Allied Workers of America (CIO) ratified a new contract with the industry Thursday. This agreement led to| removal of the last pickets from plants of the Alaska Salmon In- dustry. On the heels of this agreement,| the new row bobbed up among the| three unions sceking to represent the non-resident cannery workers. WHOPPER SALMON IS SENT TO SEATTLE FROM KETCHIKAN SEATTLE, June 9 — (® — A 63- pound, four-ounce king salmon was night. The Ketchikan Chamber ot Com- merce rented the big fish here for The statehood | | Force {POLICE ANNOUNCE NEW SALVATION ARMY DRIVE FOR $4500 - TO START MONDAY H. L. Faulkner, Chairman of the local Salvation Army Advisory Board announced today that the annual appeal for funds for the work of this organization in the Gastineau Channel area will com- mence Mondgy, June 12. B. D. Stew- art will serve as campaign chairman and Don Skuse, Treasurer of the Salvation Army Board, will be the campaign treasurer. Other members of the Board and a corps of public spirited citizens will solicit the busi- ness and residential districts for donations. In establishing a quota of $4500 for this years campaign, Mr. Faulk- ner points out that this amount represents the minimum amount of money needed by the Salvation Army to continue its program at the Red Shield Reading Room on south Franklin Street and the other activities carried on by the local forces of this “Army of the Helping Hand.” Faulkner also reports that all money raised in this campaign will be spent in the local area. The Salvation Army Advisory Board feels confident that the citi- | zens of Juneau and surrounding area will respond to this appeal for funds in their customary generous manner. ALASKA IS GIVEN FUNDS FOR ARMED FORCES BUILDINGS WASHINGTON, June 9—(P—Nu- merous Alaska authorizations were included in a $596,000,000 military construction program agreed upon yesterday by a Senate-House con- ference committee. Among them were Army — Alaska Communications station, $7,873,700; Eielson Air Base, $13,746,000; Ladd Air Force Base, $12,590,200; Fort Rich- ardson, $36,882,845; Whittier, $3- 131,000. Navy — Twelfth Naval District, $85,000. Air Force warm-up shelters ! for aircraft, $700,000; Eielson Air| Force Base, $11,213,320; Elmendorf Air Base, $1,191,746; Ladd Air Force Base $11,283,000. . STOP ON 6TH STREET For the summer months only, cars bound up Star Hill on Sixth | Sireet will have to stop at East | Street, Police Chief Bernard E. Hulk announced today. A stop sign was erected at the intersection this morning after sev- eral near-accidents had been re- ported. “Cars speeding along Sixth to make the hill endanger children playing, Chief Hulk said. “There! is a playground and a day nursery near the intersection.” Chief Hulk said short-time park- ing for business purposes will be permitted in the prohibited zone on Tenth Street, but he warned that no parking is allowed on the north display. It was caught by Bob Browning| of Ketchikan, and put Browning in| side of Willoughby Avenue from Totem Grocery to Home Grocery. tary defense rather than any rep-| first place in the Ketchikan sea-|Sewing machines for rent at The resentation that might be made by | a politician. You know how I feel shout statehood for Alaska, but I think you have not made a case | with regard to the fact that Alaska | can be defended any better or m‘y; less well because of political repfe-, sentation on the floor of the Sen-| ate.” ! runs | sonal salmon derby which | 1t displaced a 57-| until Aug. 31. | pound, 11-ounce king entered there | 10 days ago. | The big king was caught on a| Martin plug and 42-pound test Cuttyhunk line. SCHWINN BIKES AT MADSEN'S his shirts... NEWS KERNS HOME | Wm. H. Kerns arrived home last| weekend from a field trip in the| Skagway-Haines area. He is an, engineer with the U.S. Bureau ot! Mines. ’ DOUGLAS | ANKLE INJURY § Gary Bach is confined to his home and under the doctor’s care this week, due to an infection ot the ankle. i AT ST. ANN'S Tauno Niemi, salmon fisherman,’ was rushed in by plane from the fishing grounds last week with acute appendicitis. He was operated on almost immediately on arrival and is to be home again today, and should be able to be back on the grounds by next week. " FIRST PLANE RIDE Three Douglas girls will remember fhe past weekend all their lives. Barabar and Louise Grant and; Geneva Ann Parsons were joyrid- ing last Sunday with the Grant girl’s parents, and on arrival at Lhci airport, were invited to go for a' plane ride with a family friend, Thomas McCahill, who owns a pri- vate plane. The girls were treated to a long ride over the ice caps and surrounding area. Then yesterday, McCahill had to make a plane trip to Skagway, so he invited the girls ! to go along, which was their first; trip out of Gastineau Channel since arriving here and their first Skag- way visit. GAIRS VISIT Mr. and Mrs. Angus Gair werel visitors here since last Saturday for, their first visit home since January. | Both are on the staff of the M.S.| Hygiene which has been on duty in the Ketchikan area during this time. { ‘The couple leave today or Lomor-'\ row on another journey on the ship.j HIT BY CAR g Catherine Grey, four-year-old' daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles | Grey was knocked down by an auto! entering Douglas Wednesday eve- | ning. Fortunately, she was not hurt except for bruised knees and scratches. LEAVES FOR CALIFORNIA Mrs. Pellacio, mother of Mrs. Richard McCormick, left Monday; for her home in Valley Ford, Calit. | She came to Alaska to see her grandson, Richard Jr, graduate from the University of Alaska, and to visit her daughter and family. FROM OHIO Mr. and Mrs. Francis Moesh ar- rived Tuesday and are houseguests of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shuff. The couple motored over the Alaska Highway from their home in Ohio to Haines, then by barge to Juneau. Mrs. Moesh is a sister of Mrs. Shutf. TO MINNEAPOLIS Mrs. Chester Zenger left yester- day on PAA for Seattle accompan- ied by her grandfather, Albert G. Evans, Minneapolis attorney who has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Zenger, and also his son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Evans, the past two weeks. Mrs. Zenger will remain in Min- neapolis, her former home, for some time as a guest of her mother, Mrs. Clarence Wilkins. White Sewing Machine Center. 52-ti SCHWINN BIKES AT MADSEN’S 1 FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1950 Your Deposits i { ARE SAFE BUY and HOLD UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS twe DEPOSITS IN THIS:BANK' ARE INSURED | !?-l i i [ - | FIRST NATIONAL BANK of JUNEAU, ALASKA g MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION i N | ¢ S o | YOO AR RRARNL i R —— | easy to clean venetian blinds spring-tempered slats : : and vinyl plastic tape Flexalum vinyl plastic tape matches the beauty, clean- liness, and endurance of the famous Flexalum spring- tempered slats. Check the important advantages they offer you in custom-made venetian blinds. | AU A A Wipes Clean — A damp eloth whisks away dirt, grease, jam and spots. from Flexalum tape. Won't Shrisk— Flexalum vinyl plastic tape won't shrinkor stretch. Mois ‘ ture doesn’t effect i st — Even sun won't fade or discolor Flexalum plastic tape «« - always looks new. < | Woth Lasking For —The Won'tChip or Crack —The name “Flexalum” is tinish won't chip, pring - tempered crack, or peel. Flexing visibly-invisibly en- to keep their shape. won't harm it either. graved on every slat. 120 color combinations. Free estimates. Easy terma Walter D. Field Phone 581 P. 0. Box 754 Siats Suap Back — Flex- alum sluminum slats solvent of all A lump of sugar dissolves slowly in alcohol or gasoline, but much more rapidly in water. More substances are “soluble” in | Naknek Village 114.50 206.10. 109% Reduction on Round Trip *Plus Tax water than in any other compound. Naturally, then, waters of different localities vary greatly in mineral content. RARE WATER BLENDS FLAVOR The great solvent power of Olympia’s rare subterranean well water is util- ized to the utmost in“extracting hid- den flavors from the choice grains used in the brewing process. That's why we say “It’s the Water” that makes Olympia so constantly pure— so mild and flavorful. Daily Flights — Passengers, Mail and Air Cargo ...the way HE likes them! 1-Day Shirt Service since 1895 Connections at Anchorage for all Interior and Westward Points Tickets and Reservations BARANOF HOTEL Phone 716 OLYMPIA BREWING COMPANY | Olympia, Washington, U. 5. A. - a1 NORIIERN AIRIINES, INC, PHONE 15