The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-04-11
STRIKE THREATENS SALMON INDUSTRY

highly successful. The Legislature not only passed all the recommend- ed health measures, including an appropriation of s250,000 for tuber- culosis for the current year (which contrasts with the S30,000 annual appropriation made available at the last session., but for good measure passed another medical bill, the so-called Basic Sciences Act, designed to secure higher stand ards in the application of the heal ing art.
 Most important, the Legislature passed a splendid veterans bill, whose provisions. I am confident, will equal if not exceed those of any veterans bill passed by any state in the union. This bill not only makes possible the achieve ment of some of the unattainable provisions in the Federal G. I. Bill of Rights, but goes a great deal farther.
 Splendid Bill
 Tt is, as I have said, a splendid bill, although it's effectiveness in serving the veterans will depend to considerable degree on it's ad- ministration. It is my hope to ap- point and secure confirmation of a board composed of veterans of World War II who will be thoroughly understanding of and sympathetic with the problems of the returning servicemen. (Also, I believe it would be helpful to set up, either in conjunction with the Alaska Development Board, or the U. S. Department of Commerce, or both, a technical advisory ser. vice, which may give whatever as- sistance possible to veterans who will endeavor to set themselves up in new businesses)
 "The only controversial issue re- maining in connection with the bill -once the struggle to maintain its liberal provisions had been won is the method of financing it. I, personally, would have preferred any method other than a sales tax, ad did likewise a majority of the House, which, in conference with the. Senate, offered virtually every possible alternative. The Senate majority preferred the sales tax and declined any compromise or modificatin. However, it is my view that the method of taxation, as far as this bill is concerned, is rela- tive unimportant in comparison with the fact that we have a generous veterans bill, which re- fusal to accept the sales tax would undoubtedly have jeopardized.
 Vetcrosss Education
 "Legislaticn for the education of veterans iii order to enable them to take advantage of the education al provisions in the G. I. Bill of Rights, under which the Federal government pays ex-servicemens tuition and $65 month for single and $90 for married men, did not measure up to the high standards of achievement set in the Veterans Act.
 T had hoped that the Legisla- ture would establish a southern branch of the University of Alas ka and provide whatever addi- tional facilities were needed for the University at Fairbanks. How ever, the failure to secure passage of some excellent bills, introduced both in the House and Senate to this end, is less disappointing than might appear in view of the real itieS of the situation, which are that construction materials will be virtually unobtainable in the com ing twelve months. While such legislation would have spelled some progress in the next year, and speed is essential, this twelve months in- terval will at least make it possi- ble to work out plans in complete detail and to present well-round- ed program at the next regular session. Certainly conscientious ef- fort was made in both houses to take care of the veterans educa- tional needs also. But diversity of opinion, the difficulty of getting the Board of Regents of the Uni versity to make a decision, the known shortage of building mater ials-all these combined to defer this problem until the next ses- sion. It will give us a fine target | to shoot at a year hence.
 TUo Labor Bills
 "The Legislature did. not stop there. It passed two excellent labor bills--legislation which I urged as early as my 1941 message to the Legislature and have recommend ed at subsequent sessions. In that 1941 message, proposed that Workmen's Compensation coverage be extended to all workers. In this rac,,aot fta Aot folIc cbort If nrO-