The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-10-04
Bartlett Speaks On Statehood
 At Rally Here

the Territory since the first of August. he had come 10 the conelu- sion that the majority of the peo- rIe were for statehood and hazard ed a guess that il would pass by a C5 per cent majority. He gave facts and figures proving that ua- der statehood the people of Alaska would assume no burden but the advantages they woul acquire would be tremendous. He pointed out that in the mortimer Divisions. from what he could gather, most Of the opposition against statehood vas of sentimental nature; old timers dislike seeing Alaska grow and develop; dislike seeing the flood of new people over-running their hunting. trapping and fishing grounds. But as he reasonably
 .ointaI out a country the size of Alaska, with it's resources and 9p- portunities could not be held back. People will come anyway. and as much as his sympathies were wi.h the old timers Cbeing an old-timer himselfI it was better for the peo- pie of Alaska to go with progress rather than fight it.
 He said it was every Americans right 10 fuu-fledged American cit izenship and representation. To those who oppose statehood on ac- count of its financial cost, he pointed out that Alaska could not afford NOT to have statehood. un- der statehood Alaska can tax large corporations which take the Terri jo.y.s resources and leave nothing in the country and he pointed ont
 la Kennicojt mine as an example. Hundreds of millions of dollars o as taken out in copper yet today the mine iS deserted and abandon ed. Under statehood, the state would have had a share in those millions for roads. schools, etc. Under statehood we would have control of our fisheries, game and fur industries. He pointed out that Alaska is al present operating dn- der the out-moded Organic Act, an let which Shackles the Territory even more than any other territory which taz nation ever owned has been handicapped.
 He also assured the people that v voting for statehood now It does not mean that we will be a state within the next week, or month or year. First. an enabling Lot would have to be passed oy Congress: second, a constitutional convention would have to be held to draw up the constitution for the new state; third, that constitu- ton would have to be approved by Congress and the people of the fu- ture state. It would be a process that might take years, but, as the Delegate pointed out, with our in fluX of population, growing indus tries and expansion, now is the time to prepare ourselves.
 Delegate Bartlett has ably r4- presented the people of Alaska ih Congress. He has no vote, but has fought devotedly for the good of his home Territory and it's people. Protege of Tony Dimond, one of Ai- aska's former greatest delegates, Bartlett has learned how to go as- ter the things the Territory needs. He knows the ropes and knows how to get things accomplished. In the Primary election he gar nered more votes than any other candidate for any ether office The fact that throughout his trip il. Alaska he has campaigned Ger statehood rather than for hisalf, proves his unselfish determination and loyalty to the people of Alas ka. Bartlett, former Secretary of Alaska, was raised in Fairbanks but lived many years in Juneau el- SO He knows Alaska; is sympa- thetic to labor and has the en- dorsement of labor He is a man the people of Alaska have found they can look to for sympathetic. understanding and alert represent aion.