The Kusko times., 1937-11-12
SAYS REAPPORTIoNMENT NEEDED FOR ALASKA
(By Forest J. Hunt in Alaska
 Fishing NewSl


 proval of changing our legislature from a dual to a single body.
 The pertinent question to me is WHY, or by what right does the Pioneer Igloo, or any other body of citizens of the Territory try to pre- vent voters from expressing approval or disapproval of any proposed change of C0veTument2
 One of our greatest statesmen em- phasized the fact that this is "A gov-- ernment of the people, by the people and for the people'i Now, how are we to have a government of the people if they are denied an expres- sion? noticed that among the req sons assigned were that the reappoT- tionment of representation in the T,egislature would arouse ill-feeling and prejudice throughout the Terr.- tory. To this I will state that there is nothing more needed for fairness, under our present system than new apportionment-
 When this Territory was granted a Territorial government, the appor- tianment was made on the basis Of population then distributed and the four divisions were nearly as equal as eouTd be made, but while the more northern portion of Alaska has lost population with the working out of the mines, the coastal and southsrly portion has increased until the First Di-ision is casting about half the en- Ire vote of the Territory-almoSt n0n -k, So,,v,z T1;x-..1 z, ,,# -r--- | about 800 votes has the same power as we have in the legislature Thus far our delegates have not had the courage to undertake to correct this injustice.
 The principal argument against g single house legislature seems to be the necessity of the second body 70 check against the other, which think a faneiful objection The fact ? is that legislation IS delayed unnaees- sarily by the present system. With our present system we have three houses besides the governor to take an active part in framing our laws. When the legislature eonveneS, the Senate and lower House each is duly organized and the members sworn in as representatives of the people; Ia. addition to this the members of Ihe Third house begin to assemble. This consists of representatives of special interests, who come pledged and paid by their masters, to serve them faTth- fully, regardless of the public wei fare.
 This Third House consists of wily lawyers usually with a free hand to resort to every available method 10 kill or nullify all legislation derri- mental to their interests and their tricks are many and without scruple.
 We will here outline the course of an important bill which is first intro dueed in either house. Upon the in troduction the title is read and it is referred to a committee. The lobbyist interested in defeating it at once gets in touch with the chairman Of the committee and undertakes to get very friendly with him and his associates, inviting them to lunch, with many drinks and any additional favors to gain his end If the lobbyist fails IT the House where the measure is in trodueed, he follows it to the next House, never tiring in his efforts to kill or cripple the bill to an extent to make it ineffective. Lobbyists study the legislative members and soon learn whom to work and how
 There should be law against lob bying in person All remonstrances or desired changes in bills before the l legislature should be submitted in writing, for study by the members before the final vote. This would ob- viate much trickery and tend toward better legislation. Now as to the change to single house. have long admired Senator George Norris of Nebraska, for his honesty and sin l eerity. I think that every reform of- fered by him was carefully and hon estly studied before presentation, and l, just a short time ago, read tri- bute to him and to Nebraska's first one-house legislature wherein 1t was stated that thousands of dollars were saved and legislation was speeded up to a satisfactory degree. can see that much committee work would be- eliminated, which adds to cost and opens the way for the lobbyist, . which would thereby be made mora difficult
 Almost always an important bill introduced from one house to the other, is amended in one or more ways, after which il is returned to 1 where 1t originated for further ac- ton, here if not accepted or amended, l q conference committee is appointed, 1 which will meet with a like commit ]