The Wrangell sentinel., 1945-11-30
lowing matters:

ID The Bartlett Enabling Act BiIl does not say anything to in- ] #dicate whether the federal govern ment intends 10 continue the main tenance Of the Native school system hospitals, and other facilities for the Native wards of the federal government, or whether the State or Alaska is supposed to take over and finance this federal obligation The Legislative Committee is still oi the opinion, as stated in it's pre- vious report:
 That some provision should be made in the Bartlett BilD for the federal government to continue the Native schools. hospitals. etc. for these wards of the federal govern ment. or, that some financial as sistance should be provided for the State if it is to relieve the federal government of it's presently exist ing obligation concerning the Ma tive of Alaska"
 t2) The Bartlett Enabling Act Bill is likewise silent on the oues- ton Of whether the federal govern meat Or the proposed state gov ernment should maintain and con struet highways in Alaska. Under the provisions of Section 4 of the Bartlett Bill, the highways would presumably be included with the public lands to be conveyed to the state of Alaska, although the Bill does not say so. Construction and maintenance of highways would be a tremendous burden and respon- sibility; and the respective rights and responsibilities of the federal and state governments with re- spect thereto should be defined in the Enabling Act Bill. The Legis- latiFe Committee is still of the opinion. expressed in it's previous report that the Bill should pro- vide for extension of the Federal Highway Act to Alaska on a feas- ible and practical percentage basis: or that some other provision should be included so that a Constitution al Convention could intelligently act on the subject of highways; and the people of Alaska know what would be their burden for highway expense.
 l3l The provisions of Section 1 Of the Bartlett Bill are so indef- mite and uncertain that it can not be determined therefrom what lands are to be reserved by the federal government in Alaska. The Legislative Committee is of opin- ion that the people of Alaska have had a lot of unhappy experiences with federal reservations in Alas ka: that to get out from under them i4 one principal reason for statehood: and that the people of Alaska are entitled to know defin- itely in the Enabling Act what and where the federal government in- tends to maintain federal reser- yations in Alaska.
 l4) The provisions of Section of the Bartlett Act reserving to the United States "all lands with adjacent waters and other proper ty set aside or reserved for the use or benefit of the Native Ind ians, Eskimos and Aleuts of Alas ka" are so indefinite that doubts remains whether is meant only such reservations as Annette Island reserved by Act of Congress for the Metlakatla Indians; or whether is intended all the reservations set aside Cor claimedl by the Depart ment of the Interior for Indians. This matter is akin to the aborigin- al Indian rights and claims; and it ought to be clarified in the Enabl- ing Act.
 f=4 The provisions of the Bart lett Bill with respect to public lands fail to mention tidelands. All tidelands should be turned over to the State of Alaska, as has uniformly been done for States bordering on tidewaters and such provisions should be included in the Bartlett Bill.
 CGl The Bartlett Bill is silent on the subject of State use of exist ing public buildings. It would seem practicable to provide in the Bill some method, at least temporarily whereby the State could occupy ! and use for State purposes, on a rental basis or otherwise, quarters now available in such buildings to Territorial offices and officials for Territorial purposes. For example the federal and territorial capital
 building at Juneau is now jointly occupied by federal and territorial
 offices. and agencies; and no reason
 is apparent why the State succeed
 ing to such Territorial offices and
 agencies should not continue to oc-
 cupy and use such. quarters. This
 k true of other public buildings TarritnTV Snp6