The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1943-03-05

people
We ask our readers to remember that this bill
carries a stiff penalty for violation of any of the
regulations which may be imposed if the proposal
becomes a law
Senator o. D. Cochran President OF the Senate,
was the other who voted against the bill He pre-
faced his remarks by saying that he had no fear
of any abuse of the powers which the bill would
delegate to the Governor and that he believed the
Senate should do all it could furtherance of the
war effort
But. he pointed out, if the bill is believed to be
necessary would not the military authorities ask for
it? And does the Legislature have the right to
delegate this authority?
81 don't want to put into the hands of any in
dvidual" he said, powers which may mprison our
citizens and take their property away from them!"
Senator Gordon voted for the bill He said we
should remember that at war, that drastic
measures may be necessary to insure victory that
requests for such powers should come through an
agent who represents the civil population and one
who understands the needs of the people.
Senator Hjamar Nordale voted for the bill. He
spoke from the standpoint of municipalities said
this confusion will increase the war continues.
Senator N. r Walker voted for the bill He said
that the bill is urged by Alaska Delegate Anthony
j. Dnond He pointed out that the bill was written
by excellent solicitors of the Interior Department
in Washington because he said, the majority party
thought the bill should have been sent to the legs
lators instead of to the Governor of Washington.
He implied that a result military authorities in
this state are enforcing drastic regulations
He argued passage of this bill would forestall such
move here.
We believe we have fairly and accurately repro
duced the arguments. We should also add that al
though Senator A. p Walker voted for the bill he
did not take the floor for discussion. Senator H. H.
McCutcheon's remark that the Governors hands are
tied by secrecy does not seem important because we
know that all of the Senators talked this bill over
in private discussion.
We oppose this bill. We see no reason to dra-
COON the people of Alaska We assume that the
Governor would act at the request of the military
authorities The military authorities in Alaska have
not asked for unreasonable regulations to date. why
make a puppet out of the Governor of Alaska?
The Governor has not shown his hand in this.
The bill did not come from the Governor 1t was
sent along by Tony Dmond We read the letter
which accompanied this bill. We did not see Mr.
Dimond strongly urging it's passage He assumed
no doubt, that the Legislature, would consider the
bill on its own merits Let the legislators do this
then 1t doesn't, shouldn't make any difference
where this bill came from.
We wonder if the Governor believes that an APP
pointive official official appointed by the Pres-
dent which Alaskans have no voice in choosing an
official who is not subject to the will OF the people
Of Alaska should really have any of these powers.
A need for this bill should be shown. 1t isn't
unreasonable to ask that.
We urge the members of the House not to stam-
pede this bill through without taking all OF these
things into consideration Do not overlook the vital
ly important thing about the measure-that 1t is
suspension of ordinary, democratic law, substitu-
ton of military law.
There should be much discussion and much
serious thought before the legislators OF this Terri
tory see fit to give away powers which the people
of Alaska have vested in them to any single
individual.