The Daily Alaska empire., 1944-03-14
WORTHY SUGGESTION

We note as worthy of more than passing considera- ton the stand statehood for Alaska as expressed the other day by of the candidates for Delegate to Congress from AlaskaA H. ziegler of Ketchikan Looking at the question from the point of view of urist of long experience in determining the right or wrong of any question, ziegler offers this sug- gestion
 Let's find out just what we're talking about Then let's ask the people what they think about it.
 To date no group individual has been able to put forth any facts even close to satisfying the ordinary Alaskans mind on how his position in life may or may not be changed under statehood And of course it may very well be that no individual or group is capable of assembling these facts ques ton like this
 But certainly it should be up to the decision of the people of Alaska themselves the miners, fisher men, loggers housewives, small and large business men-al Alaskans It should be up to the people to decide because that is the American way of doing things
 How any candidate for the important position of Delegate to Congress can forget this important doctrine of Americanism for minute, and express himself before the people have shown him by their will the path they decided to follow, is certainly something to be considered right here and now
 The people up to this time know very little about statehood Most interested persons, even those who have already made up their minds as being in favor of statehood will agree that it very unlikely we will have it before the end of the
 So we do as Ziegler points out, have this breath ing spell in which to more fully acquaint ourselves with all of the facts available And with these facts at hand plus the expression of the people certainly any demands in Congress for statehood for Alaska will carry much more weight.
 Zieger suggests way of assembling the facts to have the Legislature appoint individual a pro n he a soon as possible. We believe a referendum state- hood should follow.
 AS far as the benefits Alaskans would derive under statehood concerned, the ills that would be wiped out, the extension of home rule and other rights and privileges which statehood could bestow who in Alaska speak out against it?
 But we wish to impress again the practical and American way suggested by ziegler-let's look at the question from all angles first. And then, by all means, let's ask the people what they want.
 One candidate, E. L. Bartlett, already has come out publicly in favor of statehood-at once-no wait ing And yet the people of Alaska haven't even been sampled on the question.
 Alaskans aren't such simple fools as to be led by the nose in this or any other matter. And the Delegate they send to Washington will be a man who understands how democracy works and acts accordingly
 Bartlett says i've cannot forestall history oi urge it to visit distant tomorrow wher we shall be better prepared to meet it ' in speak ing of statehood
 He's forgotten important thing-the people make history
 Nothing is inevitable but death and taxes ane that doesn't include statehood The people of Alaska ought to be able to contro their destiny the extent of deciding for them selves what they want and then putting q Congress who listens to the will of the people before acting