The Wrangell sentinel., 1943-02-12
End Will
 See Progress Aud
 Change For Alas ka

EUsIAAht measures LOT the pUsAz war economic development of Alas. ka are recommended in a report re- leased by the Regional office of the National Resources Planning Board in Portland, Oregon
 Chief among these proposals are:
 Construction of a railroad con- meeting Alaska with the continental railroad system; Development of an arterial highway system in Alaska with connection to important salt water ports. railroad points. air ports and river ports: Encourage ment of agriculture through surveys of lands best suited for the purpose. investigation Of marketing and Oth- CT economic problems and an ex- banded agricultural experimental ton program Stimulation of in- creased use of timber resources through continued effort to induce the establishment of a pulp and paper industry;
 Continued research and pilot plant experimentation on utilization of fish eannery wastes and continu- ed effort to expand and improve the salmon spawning areas; Accelerated program of geological surveys and mineral exploration work with special attention to the possibilities of des eloping electrometallurgica and electTochemical industries: Wig orous effort to develop tourist tray- el through improvement of travel, hotel and recreational facilities in Alaska; Vigorous program for i'm proYement of the living standards of the Alaska natives through in creased employment In local indus tries, reconstruction of native vil- lages, improvement of sanitation, and disqualification of tuberculosis cases; Encouragement and techni- cal assistance to towns and villages of Alaska toward improvement of living conditions and community facilities for education, health. safe ty and recreation; Expansion and improvement Of educational oppor- tunity for young people in Alaska through suitable vocational train ing programs, better library ser vice and curricula designed to fam iliariZe them with Alaska problems and opportunities.
 The report recommends also that q special study looking toward mod ernization and improvement of the Alaska governmental set-up be in itiated in the near future. This gov ernmental machinery, the report says, belongs to an era that is past. New functions and new responsibilities can no longer be placed on the obsolete machine in confidence that it will function we'll"
 Citing the tax system as one ex- ample of outmoded law, the report finds that If Alaska had a tax system equal in treYenue-raising power to that which prevails in the average state, the Territory and it's incorporated cities would be collecting about ten million dollars annually-an amount more than three times present receipts. If the Federal government wishes to be relieved from repeated requests from Alaska for special assistance. it will have to remove the financial strait-jacket in which the Territor- ial government has been dressed these many years.
 The report is part of the National Resources Planning Boards nation wide report Regional Resources Development, Report for 1942" transmitted to the Congress by the President some months ago. The Alaska section was prepared late in I341 by the staff of the Boards re- gioRal office with the assistance of the field officers of Federal agencies operating in Alaska
 This office, formerly located in Juneau. has been transferred to Portland. Oregon. and assigned to project sponsored by the Joint Econ omic Committees of Canada and the United States.