The Nome nugget., 1947-07-14
A Bill Of Goods In Richmond
Anchorage Daily Times)

AN EDITORIAL OPPOSING statehood for Alaska and urging instead, federal control the Ter ritory was published recently by the Richmond Va, Dispatch. It reprinted more recently by the Juneau Empire, apparently in keeping with policy to oppose statehood only indirectly by publishing those things unfavorabe to 1t.
 The Richmond editorial is rare document It is rare because few if any, of the great newspapers of the na tion have fit to oppose statehood for Alaska It is rare too because the thoughts expressed all the badges of the thinking of H. L. Faulkner Juneau lawyer who appeared before the Congressional committee att recent statehood hearings
 The Richmond newspaper claimed that Rep. Law Smith of Wisconsin sold "bill of goods" when he proposed to Congress SeVen-pOnt program for the safeguarding of Alaska Three of the points perained to non-ilitary aspects of Alaskan develop and the Richmond newspaper selected these three for it's editorial discussion.
 Representative Smith cited essential to the nation that there should be campaign to increase the civ
 an population of Alaska (2) rail and truck facilities be improved and (3) statehood for Alaska is essential for national defense purposes.
 There is general unanimity among Alaskans con- cerned with the development of the Territory, that these three points elementary in any development program They supported by the President of the United States Secretary of the Interior War Depart ment, and other agencies concerned The Chambers of Commerce of Alaska almost unanimous civic clubs and great majority of Alaska residents evil, denced by the statehood referendum last October.
 Only select few most of whom represent special in- teress refuse to recognize the facts Only these die hard seek confuse the issue and perpetuae the sta tus-quo in business and in government.
 It is clear that the Alaska point of view, like the tona interests parallels the thoughts expressed in such succinct and commendable by Representative Smith
 The Richmond newspaper declared that migration to- Alaska is unfeasble because the fisheries already fully developed mining crippled under present eco homie conditions, and there is nothing for additional residents to do for living. F
 The newspapers opposition rail and road improve ments was rather ambiguous It based on the con- tention that the only existing ine The Alaska Railroad is in deplorable condition and the terrain of the Terri tory would not permit construction of road along the coast from Ketchikan north
 As for statehood the newspaper recited MT. Fauk- ners ridiculous figure that it would cost Alaska $15 359,614 year present Territorial governmental costs, and that the Territory cannot afford it.
 The newspaper pictured Alaska as drying up' as business died and residents left due to confscatoy tax atiOn.
 Statements in the editorial so notably similar to those made by Mr. Faulkner before Congress that 1t is almost safe to say he wrote it.
 This, to Alaskans is highly important. Mr. Faulkner is the attorney for long list of fisheries mining and other corporations which constitute that influential