The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-03-07

 Icing extended to them
 ! It would seem fantastic to pro pose sales tax when the Terri tory has as yet-uniquely among States and Territories-nsither ar income tax or a property tax.
 It seems to me that there is one direct method of meeting this problem, method which would obviate the possibility of dissension and difference of opinion in the brief thirty days available for this session It would be worse than unfortunate if dissension over the manner of raising the necessary revenue were to jeopardize the en- actment of the desirable legislation for our tuberculosis sufferers and our veterans.
 That simple and direct method is to bond the Territory Bond issues have been widely used throughout the States to meet the needs of Veterans and for other post war ex- penditures. Under our Organic Act we are still denied the right to bond ourselves without the passage of an enabling act by Congress, but there is no question whatever that Congress would pass such legisla- tion and pass it quickly. We can safely proceed on that assumption, using meanwhile, if desired, for whatever initial expenditures may te required to carry out such a pro gram, the more than one million dollars of unobligated balance in the Territorial Treasury. Moreover, bonding the Territory would allow time to consider between now and the next regular session, year hence, what revenue measures may be needed to meet the interest and amortization on those bonds.
 There is no question that an Alas ka bond issue, the first of it's kind for the purpose indicated, would not only be popularly er-subscribed, but that bidders for it would be numerous and eager. I commend this solution to your earnest con- sideration.
 HighUdy Measures
 Included in the call was likewise, a highway act. This measure was .lco,.,od +o loa ovoNY,o thoca i,,opoad = lately timely, since, with the end- ing of the war and the undertaking by the Dominion Government of the maintenance of the so-called Alaska Military Highway, we shall be faced with new problems or ad- ditional problems on our highways. There may be quite a rush of tour ists coming overland this next sum- mer. This bill proposed is not the bill which was drafted prior to the previous session by the former High way Engineer, but represents the combined efforts of the Attorney General and the present Highway Engineer, who likewise have, l un- derstand, taken into careful con- siCaration the criticisms made ot the previous draft.
 I have also been informed that there has been dissatisfaction in some quarters because certain spec fife road projects were not provid- ed for out of the general road ap- propriations made at the last ses- sion. I refer in particular to the Naknek road-and there are doubt : less others. Tie ending of the war has made road construction of even greater importance for the develop ment of the Territory. For some weeks my work in Washington has included efforts looking toward se- curing more Federal road appro- priations for Alaska They, how ever, if secured, will be for specific designated projects. If there aN other projects which are deemed desirable by this Legislature, ap- propriation for them will not only be useful in itself, speed the de- velepment of Alaska, and improve it's economy, but will tend to in crease Federal allocations for our highways.
 And so I will conclude, with the hope that the 30 days of special session will be productive and pro- fitable to the people of Alaska, and with the assurance of my earnest desire to cooperate with you in every possible way.