The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-03-28
IMPEACHMENT MEMORIAL IS
 GIVEN AIRING
Dynamite Packed 6ruen- ing Removal Request Is
 Debated by Senators

Debated by Senators
 Packed with dynamite" as Presi- dent Edward D. Coffey described it, Senate Memorial No l, 'impeach- ing" Governor Ernest Gruening, was aired before the upper chamber yesterday afternoon before over flow galleries.
 In an atmosphere of strictest decorum, charges-serious and min or--were laid at the door of Alaska s chief executive. while flowery phrases were heard in his defense.
 Weightiest accusations were voiced by Coffey and by Senator Frank Whalsy. The latter stated that, during the 194l session, Gov. Gruen- ing delivered an ultimatum to the then House member that Whaley either vote for the controversial "Armories Bill' or a Whaley-auth- ored bounty measure would be ve- tosd. Whaley stated that he count cred by threatening to air the Gruening proposed deal before the House, which resulted in the Gov ernor's sending Whaley a letter stating that the bounty bill would not be vetoed. Senator Allen Shat tuck advised that he had seen the letter, which, Whaley said, now re- poses in the files of the FBI.
 Ousted Tug,peu
 Coffey opened his remarks by reference to similar memorial passed by the Puerto Rican Senate which resulted in the ousting of Rexford Guy Tugwell as governor of that possession. His charges are contained in a series of letters and affidavits. Particularly interesting was a letter signed by J. G. Shep- ard, formed head of the PWA in Alaska.
 Shepard wrote that Governor Gruening brought pressure on him to refuse Lanham Act funds for high priority construction of wat CT system at Anchorage much need ed because of great influx of troops and civilian war workers. The Governors reason for not wanting funds allocated to Anchorage was that people there would not cooper ate" with him. Shepard alleged that the Governor went further and designated where he did want funds allocated. An example Shep- ard cited was construction of an $SO, 1000 white elephant USO building at Sitka.
 Grant Rescinded
 Shepard closed his letter by stating that he had resigned his position because he would not fol- low the politically inspired dicta- ton. After Shepard had been suc- ceeded by Earl McGinty the An chorage grant was rescinded.
 Direct political interference by Gov. Gruening in Territorial poll tics was evidenced by letter writ ten by Gruening to former Hope school teacher Grace Coulter, in which the Governor directed her to work for the election of E. L. Bart lett to succeed Anthony J. Dimond as Delegate in Congress.
 An affidavit sworn by William Horsman of the Alaska Trollers un- ion, read by Coffey, stated that Gruening had called the union off cial to his office for the ostensible purpose of discussing fish prices, but all that was discussed was poli- tics and all that came out of the meeting was sample ballot-from the Governors desk--ready-marked with the Governors choices in the 1944 Territorial election. Choices for which the unions support was asked.
 Part of the Gruening Horsman confab, later joined in by Federal Labor Conciliator Mike Haas, was directed at discrediting Labor Con- missioner Walter P. Sharpe.
 Learn About Politics
 Coffey also recounted conyersa- ten between the Governor and Hubby" Griffin in which the Dill lingham trader had asked the pur- pose of Alaska Territorial Guard activities. Griffin told Coffey that the Gruening reply was: It's time the natives learned about politics and this is fine way for them to find out.
 Coffey also cited a personal griev- ance: That Gov. Gruening had in- dicated to former Interior Secre- tary Ickes that the Coffey vote was controlled by salmon interests through placement of insurance Coffey declared that he has de- manded an investigation to prove that he has never written insurance for any salmon corporation and