The Alaska daily empire., 1923-03-15
SOLDIERS | A N ) BONUS MEMORIAL IS IN PRODUCED
Asks Unrestricted Grant to 160 Acres Public Land
 for Alaska Soldiers.

A memorial introduced in both Houses of the Legislature this morn- ing is designed 10 secure Alaskan former service men land grants from Congress covering 160 acres cf land nn the unappropriated public domain IT the Territory. An almost similar proposition was before the 1921 ses- sion of the Legislature, but was lost thi ough inability of the two Houses to -each an agreement on amend meats incorporated by the Senate.
 The so-called Soldier Bonus Me- norial of 1921 was the cause of con- siderable dissension and on at least one occasion upset the serenity Of proceedings fin the upper House. It is predicted that the present memo rill will net meet with the serioous obstacles that it's forerunner Of 1921 encountered and that it will pass without material alteration.
 It was introduced in the House by
 Mir. Reyes, of Fairbanks. He has two sorls who enlisted from Fair banks during the war and served un.
 ul alter the armistice. In the Sen ate. Senator Chamberlin presented the memorial.
 Reasons Set Forth
 The new memorial declares that
 approximately 4,000 men. residents of Alaska, enlisted or were inducted linto the military service of the United States, rendering therein ex lcellent service; all or almost all ol ithe men serving with the forces ol lthe United States made sacrifices by reason of such service above and beyond any sacrifices made by those ,who were unable or failed to under take like service; that St is fitting and proper that the Territory should render a grateful tribute to her sons who in the time of danger took arms for the defense of their country Reference is made to the message ol
 Governor Bone, recently delivered td the Legislature, in which it was said
 'I recommend that your honorable body msmorialize Congress to granl | land rights to Alaska soldiers of the
 World War. Rewarding service te
 country, the government will simul
 taneously insure good citizenship It is further pointed out that "b, reasons of it's limited powers ana ! it's reluctance to impose lburdensoms taxes on the people already suffi
 ciently taxed. 1t Is impractcable fol the Legislature of Alaska to pay tt Alaska soldiers any money bonus
 compensation or reward, and the onl, lpracsicable way of showing the grati ltude Of the country is by an Act o. Congress making a grant of lands ir Alaska to the soldiers drem Alaska who served in the World War
 Grant Is Asked
 It Is requested. therefore, that such
 an act of Congress be passed and signed by the President. granting tc
 each soldier. bona lfide resident of Alaska at the time of entering the
 service. who served w1gh the military
 forces of the United States in tht
 World War. grant of 160 acres o
 land to be selected at such place 1T
 the Territory of Alaska as th' grantee may choose without any re auirement pf settlement or cultiva
 taon." Should 4000 soldiers ayai themselves cf such a grant, it wa rointed out, it would not cover mor' Ithan one-half of one per cent of tn vacant and unoccupied lands of Al laska in which title sill remains il the United States.
 Favorable reports. 1t is said, ar i expected from committees in bot lIIouses and no unusual delay in fina ; disposition is believed to be likely.