The Wrangell sentinel., 1947-06-13
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

Alaska has been making a steady growth in permanent population in the years since the last census was taken in October of 1939 Es- inmates made by the Bureau of Census up to July l, 1945 give the Territory's legal population a s S1,441 as against 72,524 in that last official census. The overa. ] population including the armed forces is given at 133,671. Since the Census Bureau estimates, just released, it is probable there has been dropping off in the arm=d forces, but there are some 7,OODI contract workers in the Territory at the present time in connection with Army construction whi.h would probably send an estimate of the overall civilian population, al present, to around 9OOO0.
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 Another ease of rank discrimil- ation against Alaska, as well as Hawaii, is revealed by Alaska Dee gate Bob Bartlett. The 15 per cent tax on transportation to foreign countries has been removed but 1t | still fingers like the sword of Damoeles over the two Territori .s, l curtailing tourist travel Appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee recently Delegate Bart cit pointed out:
 With the remOYel of the tax on transportation of persons destined for foreign ports thele is discrim- ination against tourist travel to Alaska which is bound to be harm full. If the cost of making a plea sure trip is a matter of importance to the traveller, as it almost always is, then it is obvious that the Al aska trip is at a serious competi- tive disadvantage with a trip to a foreign land. The transportation tGX counts up and is bound to be taken into account by the poten- tial traveller It should be remem- bered that the tourist dollar spent 1 in Alaska is spent in a land which 1 Is wholly American. The benefits | of that expenditure Inevitably flow | back into this county To promote | tourist travel in Alaska is to pro mote the best interests of this country
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 On a bill known as H. J. R 9s. | 205 now before Congress hinges | the development of a pulp and pa per industry in Southeast Alaska | at Thomas Bay near Petersburg. | The Forest Service has agreed fol give long term contracts for sale of | timber, which previously has been one of the obstacles, but the ques- l tion of Indian claims is still to be | solved The bill now under consid- ation by Congress would authorize the sale of timber by the Secretary | of Agriculture and the proceeds | from such sales to be put in es- crow until such tina as the In- dian claims are settled James Curry attorney representing Tn n- dians of Southeast Alaska, has opposed the measure on grounds | that the land on which some of the timber is located belongs to the native people and therefore | the measure would be taking their rights away. Senate Public Lands | subcommittee held hearings on the bill this week and the House committee will take it up June 19. 1
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 Whether ships on the west coast including Alaska would be tied up this week end was still a mooted question as this was written. Pres ent contracts with five CIO unions terminate as of June 15. The ul- ions have asked renewal of the contracts for one year on the pre- sent terms with a six per cent wage increase for marine. engine CTS The owners have offered counter proposals which the un- ions have declared unacceptable There's reported to be a so-call d memorandum" agreement which can be terminated within three days unless all unions have signed hV limo 1S