The Wrangell sentinel., 1944-01-14
@ < & 'S .s & & 8 @ .s < ALASKA AND THE NATION
 by
 ANTHONY J. D1N0ND

l AALuHukn AOA6 Aboo VIII HAOUaH' ly take further action with re- spect to one or more of the sever al measures proposed to afford an opportunity for our troops in the field to vote, there seems little likelihood that any act passed will make adequate provision for the residents of the Territory who are in the armed services, and there fore, have urgently recommend ed to the Governor the calling of a special session of the Legislature l to make provision for voting by 1 the thousands of citizens Of Alias ka who are in various branches of l the service in many parts of the world, because otherwise these cit izens probably will not have an opportunity in the coming cleo tion to exercise one Of the highest rights of citizenship. I suggest that every member of the Legis- lature should make the same re- quest of the Governor without de- lay. If the Legislature is convened and acts promptly, the Alaskans who are in the armed services will be able to vote in the primary as we'll as in the general election of 1944.
 Owing to constitutional limita- tions, even if Congress passes some general act to provide for a feder-I al ballot, it seems highly probable that ballot will be confined to. members of the Senate and House of Representatives and electors for President and Vice President of. the United States. Up to date, the representatives of the War De- pertinent have strongly opposed any attempt to make provision for the territories and even if the territories should be included. itI seems likely that the federal ballot as to the territories will be con- fined to candidates for Delegate in Congress and would not include candidates for other territorial of- ftces or for the territorial Senate and House of Representatives.
 Alaska Travel Control
 
 Wastage of manpower even by the departments of the Govern =meht is stEikingly illustrated in the continuance of censorship of communications passing between the States and Alaska and in the new Alaska Travel Control regu- lations. When the Japanese were finally expelled from the Aleutian Islands and our forces were solidly| established there, either for de- tense or attack, it seemed thatl censorship for Alaska and travel control for Alaska, except as toI the Aleutian Islands and possibly part of the Alaska Peninsula. would be immediately terminated Without attempting to speak authoritatiVely on the subject, it. Is my understanding that the AL aska War Council so recommended hecently l again particularly urg- CT upon MT. Byron Price, Director or Censorship, that the employ ment Of any person in censorshin or mail going between the States ana Alaska was a complete waste. MT. Price said that he would give the subject further study and let me know the decision, and I have no doubt that he will do so.
 It is understandable that AS to the Aleutian Islands and the main land immediately joining, there is sound reason for the military au- thOritles to scrutinize and to con- trOl all movement of personnel But as to the main body of Alaska "hich IS included In what 3s known as Zone A under the cur rent travel regulations the ordin- ary Alaskan is unable to see that any good end is served by such control of movement. Alaskans are only too eager to submit to any re strlction which will actually serve the war effort and even in case uf reasonable doubt they make no complaint. With all this in mind the current travel control regula- lions for the main body of Alaska appear to be just as little neces- sary as would be similar regula- tlons for control of travel between the states of Washington and Ore | gon.
 The members of our armed fore es who are now engaged in travel control activities could be used to better advantage in fighting the Japanese, and unquestion b fly they themselves, if afforded an opportunity, would so choose. Sim ilarly, plenty of places can be found for the. use and worthwhile employment of the civilian forces in the Alaska Travel Control Bur eau and in the Office of Censor ship for Alaska.
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 MRS. SIvERTSON HERE
 Mrs. John Sivertson of Wrangell, wife of Warrant Officer John Si-