The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-03-11

day evening although it was point ed out that the Saturday evening session would conflict with the Governors Legislative reception still more vets were waiting to be heard when the evening sitting was adjournd so it was announced that the Whole Committee hearing would continue this morning. The vote to give priority to the vets over the Governors reception car ried by 9 to ' vote, the narrow est margin yet to show up in the Senate this session.
 On Record For Bill
 First main witness to appear be- fore the Committee was Lyman Ellsworth, Commander of the local Taku Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He stated that the approxi- mately 150 members of his unit, about 90 percent of them World War II veterans, had gone on re- cord for the bill as ''the one we want Taku Post had not commit ted itself, however, as either op- posed to or favoring the sales tax feature of the bill; that the Post did not go on record in favor of any particular form of tax but would prefer to see the revenue raising left to separate measure.
 In reply to Senator O. D. Coch- ran, Ellsworth declared his group has no objection to the Federal G. I. Bill of Rights except that it won't work here" But, his post does want to see the Territorial measure appended to the G. I. Bill. He stated the bill under discussion is far superior to any others of which he has Knowledge.
 Ellsworth, in reply to Senator Allen Shattuck, expressed his pri- vate view that any measure which would make the G. l. Bill workable by paying the difference between the percent interest it provides for and the percent asked by Alaska banks, would result in a racket" whereby the banks would profit at the expense of the whole Territory
 Karnes On Stand
 A. E. Karnes, Alaska Sub-Divi- ci0,, AHo,aooa,. fo,. tho Uafaropc All ministration, vet of both world wars, was next called to the stand. In an opening statement, he point ed out that the trend in the great majority of States is to provide loans to veterans, rather than bonuses. Suggesting minor changes in the bill before the body, he de clared his belief that the vets themselves would prefer to see it required that one of their number be appointed Veterans Commission CT under the bill He also thought that the Commissioners duties should be enlarged to include gen. eral aid to veterans, such as help ing to prosecute their claims against the Federal government.
 Karnes also suggested that pro- vision be made for vets to combine their borrowing powers. He stated that he thinks Federal provisions are pretty we'll sufficient for educa- tional purposes, except, perhaps, in regard to those men or women who saw less than 90 days service.
 In answer to queries, Karnes said he thinks the original quarter mill lion dollar appropriation in the bill should be enough-on that point he was in conflict with most other vets heard--that the machinery to put the bill into force cannot be effected until too late for fishing or mining ventures this season. The peak load, he believes, will come 12 to Is months from now. At present only about 40 percent of service men have been discharged from the armed forces. Senator Frank Whal- ey interpolated that it is believed the measure will raise approximate ly $250,000 each quarter year.
 Sales Tax Feature
 Charles Porter, Legislative Off cer of VFW Taku Post, said that group is merely split over the sales tax feature; that from a private poll, he beliyes majority is now opposed to the sale tax, but that opinions on it change when it is fully explained. Ip his own view, the manner of raising the funds should be provided within the bill i Porter suggested: A S5,000 top salary for the Commissioner; that the rate of interest be specified and that it should be quite low so that all veterans will be able to