The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-03-11
Cohen Says Wont Hurt

Robertson said that Cohen, a lormer Interior Department Solici- tor. had stated that ito give 190,- iOO0 acres of land to the Indians in SEE Alaska would not hurt its economy nor" said he would IL hurt to give a few thousand acres of land to eac of the Natives m the Interior where it's all tundra, anyway"
 Robertson predicted favorable report from the Committee on the measure. but warned that there IS still a terrific fight ahead if the bill is to be passed by the Senate. He said that the opposition of the Department of the Interior, the indians and the Timber Develop ment Corporation of New York will hurt the bills chances for success.
 The attorney pointed out that one senator alone could almost de- feat the bill singlehsnded by vot- ing against it on the Senate con- sent calendar. He said that event. eaIly the bill might receive a hear ing on the Senate floor, but that 1t would be a long and difficult task to bring it to vote.
 Robertson also told that he had been informed by representative of the Puget Sound Pulp and : Paper Co.,, which has already in- vested $75,OOO on it's investigations of a site for a pulp mill near ketchikan, that his company had .,sceived letters threatening law ,uits and other litigation if 1t vent ahead with it's plans. For OAis reason, the company is wait .ng for congress to act and clear the air concerning prospective Alaska pulp activities.
 Cohen Admits Relationship Robertson mentioned also that Felix Cohen admitted to the Sen ate Committee that he is a cousin of Henry Cohen, head of the Tim Der Development Corporation ot New York which has contracts with some Indians for sale of timber Robertson said also that he had been informed that these contracts were very poor and their benefit to the Indians would be doubtful because of their vagueness.
 He declared that SJRes 162 is one of the most important Con- gressional enactments and, until 1t is settled, the pulp industry VIII not get started in Alaska. He re- ouested that the Juneau Chamber take action to get support from the Western States Council and all other Chambers of Commerce in Alaska. He also suggested per sonal letters to all 96 members of the U. s. Senate to point out the importance of the measure and to ask their consideration.
 Bartlett Neutral
 Delegate E. L. Bartlett, he said is not wholeheartedly ill favor of the resolution and is more or less neutral. He said that Bart lett is in favor of the resolution only so far as it pertains to large reservations.
 On other subjects, Robertson also reported that the Chicago meet ing of the American Bar Associa- ton delegates had endorsed SB 1888 which would restore tidelands to the individual states. At pres ent. these are owned by the Fed eral Government He said they also endorsed legislation advocat- Ing Universal Military Training,
 Tom Dyer was appointed by lpresident Burr Johnson to investi- gate the possibilities of ferry ser vice between Haines and Juneau
 Jack Burford told the Chamber it should take the lead in aiding hoat owners so that they can com ply with Coast Guard regulations. ] Guests at tcday's meeting were: 1T. M. Gaston, Jr., Otis Elevator co. Seattle; Wayne Alkire, Alaska Transportation Co.,, Seattle, and Don Moeller, Columbia Lumber Co.,, Sitka.
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