The Cordova daily times., 1923-03-23
LAND BONUS MEMORIAL IS
 INTRODUCED
Asks Unrestricted Grant 16O Acres for Alaska
 Soldiers

A memorial introduced in both Houses of the Legislature last week is designed to secure Alaskan former service men land grants from Congress covering 160 acres of land on the inappropriate public domain in the Territory An almost similar proposition was before the 1921 ses- sion of the Legislature, but was lost through inability of the two Houses to reach an agreement on amend ments incorporated by the Senate.
 The so-called Soldier Bonus Me morial of 1921 was the cause of con- siderable dissension and on at least one occasion upset the serenity of proceedings in the upper House. It is predicted that the present memo rial will not meet with the serious obstacles that it's forerunner of 1921 encountered and that it will pass without meterial alteration.
 It was introduced in the House by Mr. Reyes, of Fairbanks. He has two sons who enlisted from Fair banks during the war and served un- til after the Armistice. In the Sen ate, Senator Chamberlain presented the memorial
 Reasons Set Forth
 The new memorial declares that approximately 4,OOO men, residents of Alaska, enlisted or were inducted into the military service of the United States, rendering therein ex- cellent service; all or almost all of the men serving with the forces of the 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 it 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 of Governor Bone, recently delivered to the Legislature, in which it was said: q recommend that your honorable body memorabilia Congress to grant land rights to Alaska soldiers of the World War. Rewarding service to country, the Government will simul taneously insure good citizenship"
 It is further pointed out that "by reasons of it's limited powers and it's reluctance to impose burdensome taxes on the people already suffi- ciently taxed, it is impracticable for the Legislature of Alaska to pay to Alaska soldiers any money bonus, compensation or reward, and the only practicable way of showing the grati- tude of the country is by an Act of Congress making a grant of lands in Alaska to the soldiers from Alaska who served in the World War"
 Grant Is Asked
 It is requested, therefore, that such all ACL Ol COuSioSS Do pdSSeu anu signed by the President, granting to each soldier, bona fide resident of Alaska at the time of entering the service, who served with the military forces of the United States in the World War, grant of 160 acres of land to be selected at such place in the Territory of Alaska as the grantee may choose without any re- quirement of settlement or cultiva- tion." Should 4000 soldiers avail themselves of such grant, it was pointed out, it would not cover more than one-half of one per cent of the vacant and unoccupied lands Of AL aska in which title still remains in the United States.
 Favorable reports, it is said, are expected from committees in both Houses and no unusual delay in final