davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
UNAVOIDABLE VOTE
 WILL INJURE ALASKA

So the second fact which needs to be emphasized is that a vote against statehood in the October referendum will kill all hopes for statehood for many years 10 come and react against Alaska's interests in other ways as well.
 To most residents of the states it is inconceivable that Alaskans should not be in favor of statehood. Every state, with out a single exception, has had a happy experience in advanc- ing from territorial to statehood status. Every state has profited, not only through satisfaction of the natural craving of the peo- pie for self-goVernment but also because of the material benefits which have flowed to the states as a result. In specific terms these benefits have been the en- ticement of pop ulat o n and wealth, the development of na- tural resources and the creation of a more highly organized so- ciety with it's concomitants of improved educational facilities, more and better highways and all the blessings associated with an advanced stage of civiliza- ton. No one has ever heard of the area which regretted the step to statehood. or yearned for a return to territorial status.
 A third fact which needs to be emphasized is that a vote for statehood in the October refer endum does not commit Alaska unalterablY to statehood or be- gin a process in that direction which the people of Alaska will moi have abundant opportunity to stop later should they so de- sire.
 The statehood enabling act, as
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

what statehood legislation will be before the 80th Congress S, there is every likelihood that a measure closely resembling in it's essentials the Bartlett-McCarran bill will be introduced. This bill sets forth the procedure which would be followed in admitting Alaska as a state.
 First, of course, the bill would have to be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President. Within 30 days after its approval the Governor of Alaska would issue a proclama- tion ordering an election of delegates to a constitutional convention. Candidates would be given period for filing; pri-
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

and unfit to assume the respon- abilities of government.
 The argument is not new even in Alaska. It was used to oppose the granting of an elective Dele gate to Congress. President Mo Kinley in 1899 thought Alaska's area too vast and population too scattered and transitory to make an elective legislative body wise. In an address at the Alas ka-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle ten years later, President Taft declared himself opposed to a bill which had been drawn by the Alaska Delegate provid- ing for a legislative assembly and home rule. These he felt should not be considered seri- ously until the territory's popu- lation had increased in size and stability"
 The 1940 Census recorded an
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

maries and then a general cleo tion would be held. The bill pro- vides that the primaries could not be held earlier than two months after the Governors proclamation or the general election earlier than five months after the proclamation. The con- vention would convene on the first Tuesday following the 90th day after the general election.
 The session to draft a constitu- tion then would continue for not to exceed 75 days. Another election, this time for ratifica- tion of the proposed constitution, would be held 75 to 100 days after adjournment. After can
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

pOintments. The question which every Alaskan should ask him self before going to the polls in October is not, ''Is Alaska ready for statehood now?" but rather, Am I in favor of statehood in principle, and if so. might Alas ka be ready for statehood with in the foreseeable future?"
 Those who are best in a posi- ton to judge the temper of the national government are agreed that a negative vote in October, or anything less than decisive approval, will bury all hopes of statehood for many years to come. It a'so seems clear that such a result, signifying Alas ka's unwillingness to assume the responsibilities of adult state hood after so many years of ter ritorial tutelage, would create in Congress and throughout the na- ton a distinctly unsympathetic attitude toward Alaska's needs and problems. whatever they may be in the future
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
CONSTITUTION ALSO SUBMITTED TO VOTE

The enabling act would also provide that the people of the territory must approve the pro posed state constitution at an election held after the conven- ton. If they do not approve. the statehood process stops com pletely.
 In any event, full control over whether the territory becomes a state remains firmly in the hards of the people of Alaska unt1 after the election on ratification of the state constitution. At best, that is an event some years in the future. Fears that Alaska might be rushed into statehood soon after the October referen- dunn, and before the people know as much about it as they would like to, are groundless. It couldn't possibly happen.
 It follows from the above that arguments about particular pro- visions of, or omissions from, the Bartlett or McCarran state hood bills are beside the point at this time. Both bills have now lapsed, with the adjournment of Congress, before the October referendum. It is also idle to speculate now on what the Alas ka state constitution might con- tain, or to base an attitude to- ward statehood upon that. These are matters for the future, and over them Alaskans will have control.
 What is at issue in the October referendum is the general desir- ability of statehood and the gen. eral willingness of Alaskans to assume the responsibilities of self-government.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
HAWAII VOTED AND IS STILL WAITING

It should be noted in this re- gard that in 1940 the people of Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of statehood in an cleo ton identical with that which Alaska will hold in October. Yet Congress has not acted, six years later, even to start Hawaii on the road to statehood. The Territorial Legislature since has renewed Hawaii's plea. The Ha- waiian Delegate has worked un- ceasingly for statehood. The Secretary of the Interior, whose department has jurisdiction over the territories, has issued state ment endorsing statehood for Hawaii. A Gallup Poll taken in the states indicates that two thirds of the people are in favor of extending statehood to Ha- Waii. Finally, subcommittee of the Committee on Territories has visited the Islands, made a thorough study of the matter and recommended in the strong est language
 that the Committee on Terri
 tories give immediate consid-
 eration to legislation to admit
 Hawaii to statehood.
 And yet Congress has not acted.
 Arizona and New Mexico, both admitted in 1912, are the only states which have joined the Union in the past 50 years. The people of both pressed their appeal for admission energeti- cally over long term of years.
 Alaska, even after it votes on statehood and even though the vote should be overwhelmingly in favor, must be prepared to suffer similar delays and disap-
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

Alaska population of 72,524. All signs indicate a substantial in- crease since that time. Estimates presented last spring at a hear ing before the U. s. Maritime Commission on Alaska rates in- dicated the territory's popula- tion had grown to 85,000. The Attorney General has mentioned 90,000 as the probable figure.
 It is a little difficult to tell just how large the population of any given state was at the time of admission, unless admission should have occurred in a cen sus year. Assuming that Alaska might be admitted before 1949, the tabulation which follows shows how the territory ranks with the states in the population recorded for each in the last census before admission.
 Last Census First Census efore Admission After Admission
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
COURT DEFINED
 STATUS OF ALASKA

Alaska was granted territori- al government in its present form in 1912. It did, however, possess some of the aspects of a territory before that time. The first Organic Act was passed in 1884. If organization as a terri tory should be considered as dating from that time, Alaska by 1946 has already been a ter
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

III Lile present SIaleS or WlSCOl sin and Illinois. Out of this area, 12 more states were ultimately formed, in addition to the origi- nal 13. The other g states of the Union were formed from the rest of the continental area westward to the Pacific Ocean. One of these. Texas, which had been an independent republic, was admitted as a state upon an- nexation. Another. California, never had a territorial form of government, but was granted statehood from an unorganized status within two years after an nexation. The tabulation which follows shows all the states out side the area of the 13 original colonies ranked according to years elapsed betwen annexation and statehood, with Alaska in- terpolated as of 1946.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

has been noted, would provide for election of the delegates to a constitutional convention. If Alaskans decide they do not like the provisions of the particular enabling act which Congress provides. they may elect dele gates who are opposed to it's provisions, or even to statehood under any terms. These dele gates then could refuse at the constitutional conve n ton to draft a constitution. That is one way in which the process to- ward statehood could be stopped.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
STATEHOOD IS NOT
 ONE-DAY ACHIEVEMENT

Again a period would be al- lowed for filing and for primary and general elections. The final election would be held from two to six months after the election proclamation. After the custom ary canvass, the Govern O r would certify the election re- suits to the President. There upon the President would issue a proclamation admitting Alaska to the Union. Then, and not un- til then, would Alaska become a state.
 Through some such process have passed most of the states. The complicated procedure is recited here to emphasize the fact that the process is a long one. s { a t e ood cannot be achieved in a day, or even in a year. A study of the provisions of the Bartlett-McCarran bill in- dicates that the mere mechanics of statehood would consume more than Is months and pos sibly as long as three years. That is, the mechanics would consume that length of time after the passage of enabling legislation by Congress.
 Alaska's Territorial Legisla- ture has provided that the peo- pie of Alaska will record their preference for or against state hood at the general election to be held in the territory in Oc- tober of this year.
 It needs to be emphasized that d vote in favor of statehood in the October referendum does not mean Alaska would forth with become a state.
 Far from it. Congress would still have to pass an enabling act and the people of Alaska would still have to go through the long procedure outlined above. There is no assurance how soon Congress would, or in deed whether it ever would, act favorably in carrying out the mandate of the people of Alaska.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

It is seen that Alaska already has belonged to the United States longer than any state at the time of its admission, with the exception of Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming and Okla homa. These were all formed of territory contained in the Louisi- ana Purchase, and at the time of annexation were so remote from the national life of that era that settlement, or even exploration, did not reach them until many years later. Having served more than three-quarters of a century under the American flag, Alas ka would seem to be entitled at least morally entitled - to statehood.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
ONLY FIRST STEP TOWARD EQUALITY

To sum up, by a favorable vote in October, Alaska would place one foot firmly on the first rung of the ladder leading to- ward eventual statehood. There after it is for Alaska to make it's choice whether to remain on the first step, whether to step back off the ladder entirely, or whether to climb toward equal ity among the sisterhood of states.
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
THE PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING A STATE

TWO BILLS to provide statehood for Alaska have been
 introduced in Congress within the past year Delegate Bartetts bill given the number HR 3898 the 1st Session of the 18th Congress- Later Senator McCarran of Nevada introduced identical bill in the Senate It was given the number 1788 in the Session of the 79h Con-
 While not known this report written exactly
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
THE POPULATION QUESTION

ONE OF THE arguments advanced most frequently against
 statehood for Alaska to the effect that the population of the territory too sparse It made in the of many of the territories of the West which have subsequently, become states Opponents to the admission of Arizona for instance argued strongly that the population small
 to support state government and addition Iterate
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06
HOW MUCH TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT
 iS ENOUGH?

LOW LONG an apprenticeship should serve before
 it is adjudged ready for statehood? This question is little difficult to answer though may draw some concu sons from the examples afforded by the history of the present states.
 The of the 13 original states of the Unon as will recalled extended far west include the land embraced
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

ritory for a longer period of time than any other area in all the history of the republic.
 The legal status of Alaska among the non-contiguous pos sessions of the United States was considered settled by the Supreme Court in 1905. At that time, Hawaii and the possessions which had recently been ac- quired from Spain Puerto Rico and the Philippines were de- cIared to be "unincorporatedo territories, appurtenant to, and dependencies of, the United States, but not a part of the United States. On the other hand, Alaska was placed by the court along with Oklahoma, Ari- zona and New Mexico in the class of incorporated territories. The reasoning was that the treaty with Russia concerning Alaska manifested an intention to admit the inhabitants of the ceded territory to the enjoyment of citizenship and expressed the purpose to incorporate the ter ritory into the United States. These decisions gave Alaska the proud title of territory in the place of the name of "district" with which she had been bur dened since 1884.
 Even if 1912 be considered as the date of organization of ter ritorial government in Alaska, the territory by 1946 has been an organized territory longer than any but four states in our history. The following tabula- ton ranks the states outside the area of the 13 original states ac- cording to years which elapsed between organization as terri tories and admittance to state hood, with Alaska interpolated as of 1946.
 State Years Elapsed
 Florida
 California ) No territorial gov
The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-09-06

Other considerations being ia vorable, it is obvious that Alaska fulfills the qualifications for statehood in the matter of time served in apprenticeship.
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Soviet Relations Are Wal
OF Nerves. Austin SAYS
By the As.ociofed Press

MIDDLEBURY, VT, Mar. 30
Senator Austin, Republican, of Ver-
mont today described America
Russian relations as warfare of
nerves."
1--WE have the choice between
appeasement of Russia and neu-
tralization of Russias fear" Senator
Austin, member of the Senate Com
mittees on Atomic Energy and For
eign Relations, said in an address
at the Middlebury College Cultural
Conference
He declared "Russia's s iron curtain
of exclusion, plus her espionage
upon her allies probably will be
met by an offer to share with her
our secrets regarding atomic energy
as soon as effective safeguards
against the use of the bomb can be
established internationally"
Asserting r a respected
strength, Senator Austin said the
United States must carry out her
military obligations of occupancy of
enemy territory until the enemy is
pacified, of furnishing the necessary
armed forces to UNO, of garrisoning
strategic island bases, and of main
tanning home security"
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Fire Box Goes
|OH as Farmer
Mails Letter

A good place in which not to mail
a letter is fire box, a 53-year-old
Westmoreland County, Va, farmer
learned yesterday in Municipal
Court.
William A. Frank told Judge
Thomas D. Quinn he could not read
and had never seen a fire box when
he came to town Thursday. When
he asked some one on the street
where he could mail a letter, his
informant directed him to a little
red box near Fourth and D streets
S.W., he asserted.
Il opened the glass door, pulled
a lever and that thing went off, F."
he said, describing what happened
a few minutes before 16 pieces of
fire apparatus turned up.
Il don't imagine we've ever had
so much ceremony before over mail
ing a letter." commented Judge
Quinn, who suspended a $25 fine.
Frank said the troublesome letter,
which he posted, finally in a mai
box, was directed to. unemployment
compensation authorities.
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Lincoln Faces Jury Probe
In Assault on Girl, 9
BY the Associoted Press

JOLIET, ILL.,, Mar. 3O.-Circuit
Judge James V. BARLEY yesterday
recalled the Will County March
grand jury to meet April Is for in
vestigation Of the case of James
F. Lincoln, jr., 80, River Forest, Ill.
charged with assault with intent to
kill Carol Williams, 9, on March 90
States Attorney James E. Burke
said he would seek indictments
charging Lincoln with assault with
intent to kill and assault with in
tent to commit criminal assault
Mr.. Burke obtained warrant
charging assault with intent to kill
but withheld serving it on Lincoln
pending outcome of the girls condi-
ton. He is held in Jail here.
She is recovering in hospital
from head injuries and bullet
wounds. Mr.. Burke said Lincoln
son OF a wealthy Cleveland, Ohio
industrialist, confessed beating and
shooting the child after she resisted
his advances after he gave her a
ride in his car from school.
Evening star., 1946-03-30
.Christion University
In japan Considered
By the Associated Press

BUCK HILL FALLS, Pa, Mar
29.-The Foreign Missions Confer
ence of North America, which
opened the third day Of its SD an
nual convention today, has appoint
ed a committee to study the found
ing of a Christian university in
Japan.
The committee is to consist OF
four members of recent delega-
ton of Christians to Japan-Dr
Douglas Horton, New York; Bishop
James c. Baker, Los Angeles. and
DR.. Walter w. Van Kirk and DR.
Lumen Shafer, New York-together
with the Right Rev. Frederick
Goodwin, Richmond, Va; Mrs
Harper Sibley. Rochester. N. Y.
and Miss Sue Weddell, New York
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Former Red Cross Official
To Head VA Field Contact

Joseph F. OBrien, former ma
tional director of the Red Gross vet
rams claims service, today was
named chief Of the field contact di-
vision of the Veterans Administra-
ton contact service.
Mr.. O'Brien, who replaces Paul E
Dickensheets, now manager of VAS
regional Office in Sioux Falls, S
Oak, has worked with veterans
since 1921. He was on the staff OF
the Federal Board for Vocational
Rehabilitation, one of VAS prede-
cessors, and went with the Red
Cross in 1890.
AS head of the Red Cross claims
service he had a staff of 300 field
directors representing the Red Cross
in VA offices.
Mr.. O'Brien is a graduate of Will
liams College and a World War vet
eran. He lives at 1900 Sixteenth
street NV.
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Fugitive Agrees 10 Return
To Face Virginia Trial
BY the Associofed Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Mar. 30
Lawrence w. Startling is on his way
to Virginia to face trial on an escape
charge.
The 23-year-old fugitive from a
Virginia prison camp, who lost his
fight to prevent extradition to Vir-
ginia, agreed to return voluntarily
yesterday to the Old Dominion in
custody of D. P. Edwards, assistant
superintendent of the Virginia Penal
System, and Sergt r. r. O'Mara, in
charge of one of the Virginia State
prison camps. His attorneys said he
had returned voluntarily in view Of
prison reform legislation passed re-
Gently by the General Assembly of
Virginia.
Startling was arrested here Janu-
ary II after escaping from a Vir-
ginia road camp, where he was
serving a sentence for embezzlement.
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Party Chiefs Gloomy as Reuthe,
Upsets Balance of CIO Power

candidate. A belief that this was
labor'S best tune at present was re-
sponsible for CIO President Philip
Murray's tepid praise of Mr.. Thomas
when he had been confidently ex-
pected to indorse Mr.. Reuther. This
was explained to the red-headed
victor in advance but quite natu-
rally it failed to convince him.
His return argument is that unless
labor is dynamic, it might as well
be dead and that it cannot be run as
an adjunct to the Democratic or any
other party. Political victories, the
Reutherites said, are not that i'm
portant and apparently they were
able to get a majority in UAW to
agree with them.
Move to Heal Wounds.
Right Winger Mr.. Reuther can, if
he chooses. do some powerful push
ing Of Mr.. Murray, who has consis-
tently tried to avoid factional strike
an attitude naturally pleasing and
acceptable to the politicians who
want CIO help.
The Democrats are on good terms
with most of the labor leaders. John
L. Lewis, of course, is a lone wolf,
even though he has returned to his
old AFL allegiance. But William
Green, AFL president; David Dublin
sky and others are friendly and Sid
ney Hillman has been bouncing
happily in and out of the White
House between trips to Europe with
administration blessing. At one
point Mr.. Truman was miffed at Mr..
Murray, who he felt had impugned
his honor during the steel strike and
for a time freely passed out Battery
D animadversions against him.
However, the presence of Henry
Wallace as co-speaker with MIR. Tru-
man at the Jackson day dinner mere
was designed to heal all wounds and
show the left of center all was we'll
Evening star., 1946-03-30
Navy Plans to Send Rockets
I65 Miles in Air to Gather Data

which was dangerous, expensive and
limited to daylight.
The method was explained by 1t
Comdr. M. H. Gilmore, who was In
charge of the Navy's experimental
work in the Caribbean, and the Rev
James B. MacElwane, director of the
st. Louis seismographic station
who served as expert consultant.
/ Two stations were set up-one the
Guantanamo Bay naval base and
another at Richmond, near the
southern tip of Florida. These
formed a network with a station OF
the Geodetic Survey at San Juan
Puerto Rico. After two years work
Comdr. Gilmore became convinced
that even small storms could be
picked up at least 300 miles away
and that a major disturbance made
itself known over distance of more
than 1000 miles.
If the network of stations is ex-
tended, it was concluded, there is no
reason why any part of the Ameri-
can coast ever again should be
Wy 4lQl lCdklC WlLIlOuL QUE
warning.
Fish Noises Cause Concern.
M. B. Dabrin of the Naval Ord
nance Laboratory at Anacostia
D. c., reported that the fish in the
sea are so noisy that their chatter
ing and singing is a matter of real
concern to the Navy.
They make so much noise that it
threatens to interfere with such de-
vices as sonic submarine locators
and acoustic mines and an investi-
cation has just been completed in
Chesapeake Bay and along the
South Atlantic coast to find which
denizens of the deep are the worst
offenders, he told the association.
The main object was to determine
the kind Of intensity of the noise
produced by various species so that
they could be taken into account in
designing instruments.
! The worst offender, Dobrin found,
was the common croaker, whose
noise resembles the sound of an
electric drill being driven into
asphalt, and is audible Is feet
away.
| TOadfish Makes Whistling Noise.
Most remarkable of all the noise
makers was the toadfsh. THE
sound is an intermittent low
pitched musical blast of about a
half-second duration, somewhat
similar to a boat whistle"
Most of the noise-making fish
were captured and studied in the
laboratory
The hogflsh, as its name indi-
Gates, is a grunter. The grunt Is
produced by gnashing the teeth.
The spot. closely related to the
croaker but makes a different noise,
described as "a series of raucous
/ honks.''