The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1945-11-02
URGE5ExTRA
SESSION OF
LEGISLATURE
Senator Lying Of Nome Sub
mits Reasons for
Calling One


Democratic National Committeeman
for Alaska, in special dispatch to
the Empire, declares that he be-
lieves special session of the Ter
ritorial Legislature, to be called in
January, is necessary and highly
essential"
Senator Lying submits the fol-
lowing reasons which, in his opin-
ion, call for an extraordinary
session, which 1t has been estimated
will cost the Territory $4,000:
Both the House (National Con-
gress) Appropriations Sub-commit-
tee and the Subcommittee on
Territories, subsequent to their re-
spective tours of Alaska this year,
reported to the Congress that AL
aska is not ready for statehood,
nor likely to be in the near future.
These ub-committees, whose re-
ports to Congress will definitely
influence the general Congressional
attitude toward Alaska, have stated
through their reports, and through
the press of the nation, that until
such time as the people Of Alaska,
through their elected representa-
tives, the Territorial Legislature,
see fit to assume created portion
of self-help, their recommendation
to Congress is, and will be. less aid,
financial and otherwise, to Alaska.
There is no question in my
mind, and / believe in the minds of
the general public, that these Con-
gressional subcommittee have a
legitimate reason for their gripes,
although it also appears that In
some respects they are prone to
overstate their case.
Legislature penny Wise"
However, the publicity given
these sub : C m m tee reports
throughout Alaska, has made 1t
evident to the hitherto more or less
uniformed public, that the policy
of the Alaska Legislature has been
penny-wise and pound-foolish in
many instances. 1t has also created
the impression, not without some
justification, that the Legislature
has in the recent past, failed to
make adequate provision for the
maintenance and expansion Of the
following basic and fundamental
subdivision of our Territorial COM
munity and government public
health, education, public welfare,
taxation, roads and airfields.
THE war is over--has been for
some time.-Wartime construction
is finished-the ban on mining has
been lifted, and Alaska has re-
turned to it's peacetime economy
In order to put the Territorial
house in order, and to bridge the
gap of the war years; also to
counter Congressional criticism and
materially assist the long dormant
mining industry, the following are
called to your notice as requiring
immediate action on the part of
the Legislature. !.
Public Health
According to the resolution re-
Gently adopted and promulgated
throughout the Territory by the
Board of Health, $250,000 is re-
quired by the Health Department
in order to acquire the needed ia
cilities with which to combat and
stamp out tuberculosis in the Ter
ritory. This, the Board of Health
states, is imperative, for they are
confronted with approximately 1000
victims Of this dread disease
most unsalutary condition, and one
which. if longer neglected. will but
extend its scope, and dangerously
menace the general health and well
fare.
Public Schools
commissioner of Education Ryan
informed me this summer that no
schools have been built since prior
to the war; at which time some re-
placements were badly needed He
also stated that due to rapid in
crease of population during the war
years, many of whom appear to
be permanent, his schools through
out the Territory are overcrowded
practically bullying at the seams,
with pupils. Mr.. Ryan's department
needs right now about 10 new
school buildings in various parts of
the Territory. so as to properly ac-
commodate the school children of
Alaska. Estimated appropriation
required, $25O,O00
Public Welfare
THE l945 Legislature enacted two