The Wrangell sentinel., 1947-10-24
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

Announcement from Washington last week that by proclamation the Interior Department had set aside lO1, ,0O0 acres near Hydaburg in reservation for use of the native people of that community was causing quite a furore In Alaska sentiment was expressed that the action might lead to stimying plup development in that if the pro clamation was based on the late Judge Hannah's decision setting aside certain lands in Southeast Alaska for native people, it coufd mean the setting up of reservations in other areas of the rich South east timber belt with the result that pulp mill investors might bel frightened away. Meanwhile, from far off Washington came report that the proclamation hadn't been signed by Interior Secretary Krug and that the news story had been issued prematurely Just what the score was nobody seemed to know but until the reservation matter was clarified there were certain
  pulp industry. Under the TOngass timber bill, which passed the last Congress-, the Secretary of Agricul- ture was authorized to sell timber in Southeast Alaska for the use of pulp mills or other industry Pro ceeds from the sales go into es- crow until such time as Indian claims are settled. If findings are in favor of the Indians, che money from timber sales will go to them; if against them the money goes in- Ii the federal treasury. It was con sidered fair bill, aimed to develop the timber industry in Southeast Alaska. If, meanwhile, reservations for the Indians are set up, encom- passing large areas of timber, AL askans feel main purpose of the Tongass bill will be defeated.
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 There was nope that Territorial school refunds, totaling $15O,0O0 for the various communities for the last school year would be paid by next month due to liquor taxes now coming into the Territory s General Fund and by advance fish pack tax payments, which are not legally due until January. The 1 matter of refunds to incorporated towns for the present school year was still a question but it was an- ticipated that these would be made after fish pack taxes were received up until the end of January. After that, as Attorney General Ralph | Rivers, Secretary of the Board of Administration phrased it, 'the only way for cities to meet their teachers payrolls, etc, during per- iods of delay in refund payments will be to use their reserve gener- al funds, if any. or negotiate lOans." Meanwhile, Territorial road funds were building up. This fund, i which can be used only for roads, l airfields and boat harbors, had taken in, since the two-cent gaso- line tax became effective in June, | total of $451,S72 by mid-October While much of this was obligated for work carried on during the summer there was indication that the gas tax would yield around a million dollars a year for roau purposes.
 Gen. Howard A. Craig, who has been head of the Army command in Alaska as well as chief of the unified command, has been pro- noted to one of the key spots in the new reorganized air force com mand in Washington. Gen. Craig, one of the most cooperative com manders with Alaskans, that the Army has ever sent to the Terri tory, now becomes Deputy Chief of Staff for material and is promoted from Major General to Lieutenant General. Lieut.. Gen. Nathan F. Twining succeeds Gen Craig in the Alaska post. Craig is one of the few officers who entered the Army as an enlisted man in World War l and rose to the top flight. Periscope salutes a fine man and efficient officer.
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 Looking ovtr the Alaska trade and now in the Territory is W. E. Brown, general freight and pas senger agent of the Alaska Steam ship Company. After a visit to the Westward, Agent Brown was mak- ing Southeast Alaska this week
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 Off to Seattle his week for the freight rate hearings opening there on Monday was Attorney General Ralph Rivers and George Sundborg, Executive Assistant to the Governor who would represent the Alaska Development Board. The Territory and Board would make a fight to get a lowering of the present rates Hearing will be