The Wrangell sentinel., 1944-05-05
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ing to the recent top-heavy victory of E. l.. Bartlett for the Democratic delegate nomination as an indica- tion of how Alaskans on the whole feel toward statehood. While state hood wasn't a major issue in the mpaign, successful candidate Bartlett was definitely for it and wasn't afraid to say so. He launch ed his campaign in Wrangell at the first Statehood for Aaslka' dinner ever held in the Territory, coming out strongly for making Alaska the 18th state. His position on that subject was made clear throughout the Territory during the campaign Bartlett. the statehood supporters point out. was the only outright statehood man in the race. He won with more votes than his two op- ponents combined. indicating that statehood is looked upon with favor by a majority of Alaska voters. As the Democratic primary boiled about 10 to one more votes than the Re publican, statehood advocates have 6 good talking point until that happy day when they get a chance to vote on definite statehood re- ferendum-our guess, after the war
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 Incidentally, Wrangell appears to be a good omen for Nominee Bartlett. He started his campaign here and wound it up with a visit oT Should We say, "as Wrangel goes, so goes the Territory?"
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 Frank Marshall, President of the Alaska Territorial Federation of Labor, commenting on the election, put it this way: Labor of Alaska spoke" It certainly did. While def mite results in some of the other divisions are not yet available and won't be until the official count, it is probable that the next legis- lature, converting in January, will be predominantly labor minded Labor made nearly a clean sweep ot it on the Democratic ticket in the First Division and labor men and labor sympathizers were on the whole successful in the other divi- sions. Odds are better than even that the general election won't al ter the complexion Best estimates at this time are that the next leg islature will be at least 75 per cent labor.
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 Regardless of the outcome of the general election. Republicans are sure of at least one seat in the Sen ate. Andrew Nerland of Fairbanks, one of the most highly respected men in the Territory and who served many sessions in the House until he retired, will come back to the Legislature this trip to a Sen ate seat. Veteran Nerland is un- opposed for the two-year Senate term from the Fourth.
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 If anyone is interested in a badly tattered pre-primary political edi- torial policy, dope is that one is available very cheap at the Empire in Juneau.
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 Effort toward pushing the pulp industry in Alaska as part of the postwar program is being made by the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. Service has decided to block out a large pulp timber unit on the TOngass National Forest in Southeast Alaska for investigation by representatives of the pulp and paper industry who may desire to study the postwar economic pos abilities. The blocking out is al- ready underway and if the pros pective operators show enough in terest and want to make a bid on it the unit will be offered for sale. Under the plan, the operators will be required to manufacture the pulp wood in Alaska, thus assuring the industry for the Territory if it is started, and not merely selling logs to be taken Outside for manu- facture. Forest Service estimates the Tongass forest can produce more than a million tons of news print paper per year on a sustained yield basis if it's full output were to be used. Timber is about 75 pel cent hemlock, 20 per cent spruce and , per cent cedar First units will be blocked out in the Ketchi kan district and if the industry catches on it can be expanded to tn, entire TOngass Forest area whicl comprises about 75 per cent o Southeast Alaska
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 0UOTA FOR MAY