The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-12-13
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERTSCOPE

At long last the maritime strike, confined the past two weeks Q Seattle, was settled and vessels were beginning to load from that port for Alaska The North 5ea and the Alaska were expected to get away by weeks end and others were expected to follow shortly. Meanwhile, in Portland, the relief ship Reef Knot finished loading and cleared for Westward ports. There would be no further relief ships, but there was a terrific backlog on the docks which meant that while ships would arrive be- tore Christmas, much of the cargl destined for Alaska would not be cleared for weeks.
 With the advent of the new year what would happen was anybcdy's guess. On January 1, Maritime Commission, hich has been operat- ing the ships, is supposed to re- turn them to their owners although they may retain control until sb- luary 2S under present law. Own CTS have offered to the Commission a plan for private operation which calls for blanket 35 per cent in crease in rates, the Commission to carry the insurance and guarantee the owners six per cent on their investment after taxes Under the plan five passenger ships - Ala ka, Aleutiah, Bararof, Denali and North Sea one cargo vessel, the Vict0ria;; len combination cargo and refrigerator shlps of 5OOO-ton capacity; two victory-type 10,0a1- ton carriers and couple of small tankers would be put in operation.
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 Report that Federal Judge George F. Alexander, i'll for mere than year, might not be able to return to his First Division bench after the first of the year has stirred up wide speculation and httle behind-the-scenes campaign ing. A definite movement has been started in Che First Division in be- half of George W. Folta, Solicitor for the Interior Department in Al aska, and former Assitant District Attorney, for the judgeship shoul l l Alexander not return. Word seeps down from the Westward that Judge Anthony J. Dimond of the Third Division, former Delegate, would not be adverse to accepting the First Division bench, nor, it is understood, would Judge Joseph W. kehoe of the Second Division, Il former First Division resident ] Judge Kehoe has been presiding Inl the First in the absence of Judge Alexander.
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 With the Legislature but two months away. lines were beginning to form in connection with the Speakership- of the House and the Presidency of the Senate The of- ficial canvass was being completed this week and Republicans were assuming they would have control of the House 13 to II. In such a probable event their candidates for Speaker most mentioned were Os- car Gill of Anchorage, Maurice Johnson of Fairbanks and Steve NukoVieh of Juneau. All had pre- vious legislative service. In the Senate, although the Democrd, have a nine-seven majority Repub- lican Andrew Nerland of Fair banks was being pushed in som 9 sources. What the Demos, with three former Presidents in the:rI ranks - o. D. Cochran, Ed Coffay and Doc Walker would think a. bout it remained to be seen. After all, they had the votes, if they stuck together, to name their President. The Democrats in line, barring exPresidents, was Don Carlos Brownell of Seward
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 If you're interested in what ba- comes of those gross revenue tax pennies you have been paying, a current report from the office of che Commissioner of Veterans Ar fairs is revealing. Up to November 2, the Commissioner had paid 347