The Wrangell sentinel., 1940-12-06
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 Appointment of a curator to suc-I ceed the late Rev. 4. P. Kasheyar-I off at the Territorial Library and Museum in Juneau has brought forth no end of candidates and al few political headaches, reports ourI Juneau correspondent. It seems there were a goodly number who looked upon the s3000 yearly cur. ator's job as sort of a political plum which should be dropped in the lap of some worthy party worker. Ter. ritorial Administration Board and some members of the forthcoming Legislature which must give it's ap- proval tended to look on the posi- tion as one which should be filled by a competent person, well ground tinue the task of building up the museum to become one of the out standing Tn the nation There have been a lot of sessions no appoint ment.
 The latter official group has been looking with favor upon E. K Keit- hahn of Wrangell Institute, mana ger of Wrangelps Potlatch last 1 June, rated in the top flight of the nations ethnologists and long identified with the Office of Indian Affairs in Alaska. Not a candidate, Keithahn's work in his chosen field has attracted attention to the point | that he may well be the next cur ator of the Territorial museum if he should accept the appointment. | Fortunately. the museum has ne yer been a political football. Legis- lators and Territorial and Federal officials generally always have l looked upon it as a worthwhile en- terprise in behalf of the Territory which should be under the manage ment of a person well grounded in ! the knowledge of Alaska's colorful history and people and equipped with sufficient showmanship ability to present that picture effectively to the thousands of visitors who each year come north and almost every one of whom calls at the mu- scum. On this basis, Wrangell's Keithahn is looked upon as No ! choice.
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 The planners are planning up in Juneau this week at the annual ses- sions of the Alaska Planning Coun- eil. Out of it probably will come a recommendation to the Legisla- ture whether to continue the work on its present basis, tie it in as function of the Governors office or abandon it entirely. Represent | ing every Division of the Territory the Councils recommendation as to it's own future is expected to have considerable weight with the law makers.
 Favored thought among the planners as they went into session was continuing best features of the work, such as gathering data and factual information on Alaska's re- sources, possibilities, etc, as sec ondary service through the Cover nors office. General theory appears
 
 fact assembling group is necessary in the intelligent development of the Territory. Much excellent work has been done by the Council. Main opposition to it has arisen from it's political activity Worse beef follow ed the copious appearance of it's name in propaganda issued against the liquor referendum during the recent campaign. Many concluded it had permitted itself to become a political tool rather than sticking i closely to its function as a politi- cally neutral territorial agency. Another criticism which has been directed against it in some quarters since it's inception in '37 has arisen from the age-old battle for terri, torial recognition. Each chairman of the Council has been a Federal employee. In each instance they have been high caliber, able, qual- flied men-the first B. Frank Heintzleman, Regional Forester, the present, Ike P. Taylor, Chief Engin- ger of the Alaska Road Commission but, unfortunately, both Federal men. Many have felt the head of the Council should be a straight Terri torial man, not connected with the Federal government.
 Virtually all the money for the support of the Council comes from Territorial funds, appropriations