The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-28
RAY BRANNAMAN SEES ALASKA AZ
 VITAL FRONTIER
Officer Says First Con- sideration Should Be
 Nations Security

Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said to- day the future development of Alaska should be considered from the standpoint of national secur- ity. He said that the future of statehood and other issues for the Territory should be debated primarily on whether or not the security of the United States will be benefited.
 This might be the most impor- tant frontier we have, in the case of war" Brannaman stated. Tt is therefore necessary that we care- fully consider the future develop ment of Alaska from that stand point"
 Alaska Studied
 Brannaman revealed that he has spent a lot of time, in the past year, studying Alaska and it's problems although this is his first actual visit to the Territory. He said that he has also been talk ing to and listening to many Alaskans abort problems here, also that many people are criticized for making public statements on con- troversial issues such as the fu- ture of Alaska. But, he explain ed a general need not necessarily visit every inch and every post of his command in order to in- telligently supervise the activities for which he is responsible. In the same light, said Brannaman, a so-called visiting fireman does not have to visit evefy nook and cranny in order to determine its ailments.
 Would Homestead
 Pointing to his own experience following World War I, Branna- man said If I were young man today, I would try to make good in Alaska Brannaman established a homestead in the State of Col orado following the last war. He said that he realizes only small percentage of those making the at- tempt will be successful, but point ed out that these successful ones would make worthwhile citizens and would more than make up for those who were lost in the effort.
 Speaking primarily of Southeast Alaska, Brannaman said that the prospects are exceedingly bright here from the standpoint of re- sources and climate. He said that the climate is easy to live in and that a man can build his home from the lumber on his own land. Brannaman predicted a future for the dairy business in Alaska when someone discovers or invents some kind of substitute for cattle feed which is now imported, at great expense, from the continen tai U. s. during the winter months. He said that this substi- ute feed might even be manu- factured out of a fish meal, for example, and could be developed into another Alaskan industry.
 Brannaman believes the worst part about the influx of settlers to Alaska is that prospective immi- grants cannot be screened in order to weed out those who are ear marked for failure in such a ven- ture.
 Attend Encampment
 Brannaman is attending the Second Annual Encampment in Ju- neau of the Alaskan Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars which will end tomorrow night. He plans to leave at that time for Su- perior, Wisconsin. to dedicate a new V. F. w. clubhouse and will then go to Pittsburgh, Pa, and Brooklyn, N Y Before coming to Alaska, he stopped in Seattle where he installed new district V. F. w. officers.
 Yesterday, Brannaman went trout fishing at Lake Florence with Harold Mayo, Eckley Guerin and pr, Leroy Plaugher, National Surgeon of the Military Order of the Cootie, V. F. w. honorary or ganization.