The Wrangell sentinel., 1945-08-10

 Endorsed
 By Int. Dept.

One of the greatest steps in 40I } ears toward statehood for Alaska was taken today when the Interior Department made the announce ment that 1t was in favor of state hood for Alaska Governor Ernest Gruening made the statement pub lie today and said this repre- sents the official views of the De- partment of Interior and that because of the Departments juris- dlction over the affairs of the Ter ritOry. he considered it a matter of great importance. The statement was transmitted to him by the De partment of the Interior with a re quest that he release it for publi- cation. The text follows:
 The Dept. of the Interior fay- ors statehood for Alaska. All Am orleans have the right of self gov ernment and it is clear that state hood is the only form of self gov ernment appropriate to [ h e circumstances of Alaska
 Alaska is equipped for state hood. It's people, white and Native asked the privilege of voting for a number of Territorial officials, in- cluding the Alaska Delegate to Congress. It becomes increasingly apparent that Alaskans are ready to strengthen their position by be- ing permitted to participate fully in the responsibility of Federal 
 Alaska is on the verge of a great postwar development. It of fers real possibilities for veterans and for men and women who have been uprooted in the states Max ing Alaska one of the Federal states would link it more closely with the nation and speed deyel opment of it's large resources; dim inish the evils of an outpost; en- courage new settlers and with greater capital invested would give the people of Alaska a voting voice in the Congress of the United States. It would give them a great CT opportunity to help write their own destiny
 The Enabling Act should trans fer to the people of Alaska the ob- legation and responsibilities of soverignity on a parity with the other states of the union. These obligations, including providing the facilities which the people re- quire for economic and social de- yelopment and the financial res toration to procure and maintain them.
 Tt should be born in mind, also, that statehood does not necessarily bring with it ownership of all of the public domain within the boundary of the Territory. The states of the Union were given acreage for schools, for roads, and for other public purposes, but the rest of the Federal land was re- served to the Federal Government for disposal under appropriate con gressional direction.
 'Gn view of the composition of the Alaskan population, the De- partment deems it advisable to as- sure that the aborigne occupancy rights of the Natives be spared, de- lineated, affirmed or extinguisehd with proper compensation and their control be protected in the Enabling Act.
 "Objections to immediate state hood for Alaska include it's rela- lively small population; lack Of market for agricutural products, seasonal job opportunities; made quate health agencies; lack of de yelopment of natural resources and supposed inability to support an effective state government for such a vast area. All of these oD- iections have some basis. Yet. none of these together or singly constitutes an obstacle to state hood.
 The Department is seeking 10 overcome these obstacles in its day to day work with Alaska problems It seeks, among other things, to encourage the settlement of ahe Territory and the development of it's resources on sound and per manent basis by gathering and the dissemination of facts that will assist such development. It seeks to establish year around industries that will support year around
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