The Wrangell sentinel., 1945-09-14
Special Session
 Asked

JUNEAU COnITOnteQ with
 health problem for which they could not find sufficient funds a.
 vailable, members of the newly
 organized Board of Health at it's session in Juneau last week adopt ed a Resolution urging that special session of the Territorial Legislature be called in order to make further appropriations to
 handle the steadily increasing tuberculosis spread in Alaska. The Board said it's studies revealed there were an estimated 4,000 cas- es of tuberculosis in the Territory with but 2S9 beds to care for them. It pointed out Army and Navy hospitals can now, with the end of the war. be obtained for civilian use in the Territory but money must be made available if the opportunity is to be accepted by Alaska. The Board urged that immediate action be taken before the military facilities are moved from the Territory or dismantled as surplus property. Complete res olution follows:
 WHEREAS, the War has ended | suddenly and there are available | Army and Navy hospitals which may be obtained for the Territory at little or no cost for the treat ment of tuberculosis patients: and
 WHEREAS, tuberculosis has de- yeloped into the most critical health problem facing the people of Alaska at this time, estimates showing that there are approxi- mately 4,00O active cases with but 2S9 beds available for their care, those in hospitals in the States made available to Alaskans; and
 WHEREAS the Federal Govern ment has shown a willingness to aid Alaska in it's health problems, l. and has been and is prepared now to match dollar for dollar Territor- ial funds for the care of tubercul- osis patients; and
 WHEREAS the last Legislature only $60,Q00 to the Department for the bien- nium, or $3O,00O per annum for use in combating this dreaded diesase which is making such ter rifle inroads among all classes of people in Alaska; and |
 WHEREAS the Board of Health of Alaska has disussed the need for an estimated budget of $522.- 755.00 of which the Federal Gov ernment's participation would be S25S,677.00, and Alaska's partici patton s253,122.00, to carry out an adequate disqualification pro- gram for the treatment of tuber culosis in the Territory for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1946 and ending June 30, 1947; and
 WHEREAS certain government namely, Army and Navy hospitals and materials, are now available if the Territory had suf- funds with which to make them available for the treatment of tuberculosis; and
 WHEREAS the regular session of the Territorial Legislature does not convene again until 1947, thus being too late to take advantage of Federal help in the way of and funds now available with conclusion of the war; and
 WHEREAS it is the unanimous belief of the Board of Health of Alaska, in meeting assembled, af- ter carefully reviewing for one week all the health problems con- fronting the people of this Ter ritory, that immediate and direct action should be taken by the Ter ritorial Legislature to see that ade- uuate Territorial funds are made available to combat the deplorable prevalence and steady increase Of tuberculosis among our people, | which, through study, We are con vined is the No. One health prob lem in Alaska
 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLV- ED that these facts be brought to the attention of the people of AL aska and their representatives comprising the Territorial Legis- lature with the bslief that 1t would be advantageous to the peo- pie of Alaska to have an Extra ordinary Session of the Territorial Legislature called to enact legisla- tion which would enabe the Terri tory to take advantage now, with the war ended, of Federal aid, both in building and funds, -an opportunity which otherwise will be lost forever, and will result in an ultimately greater cost in fu ture years to the people of Alaska in establishing adequate facilities