The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-07-16
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

It promised to be aknockdOwn, dragout presidential campaign. The Democrats met in Philadelphia this week and named President Harry S Truman and Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky as their standard bearers to oppose the Re publieans Thomas E. Dewey of New York and Earl Warren ot California. and in his acceptance speech the President had taken the ball for the first offensive drive. Charging the Republicans control led 80th Congress with failure 10 legislate for the welfare of the country and pointing out the pro- m-ises outlined in the COP plat form. the Chief Executive called the Congress back into special session for July 26 to see if II would do some of the things the Republicans promised in their platform written in Philadelphia three weeks previous: some of the very things. he said. he had urged upon Congress since the S0Lh first convened.
 It was a bold, aggressive move which immediately put the Repub- licans on the defense - defense Of the 8Oth Congress which they con trolled. The Democrats would, meanwhile, have to defend their l6 years of tenure in office which Senator Barkley had declared ill keynOting the convention, needed no defense but would speak for it. self But he declared, as did the President later. the record would be carried "to every precinct in the United States"
 In calling the Congress back in- to session, the President emphasIz- ed two things particularly which, he charged. it had neglected - the soaring cost of living and housing. These, he said. are emergencies which must be met. Though he had pleaded for legislation to control prices, nothing had been done. he pointed out. The same, he said, was true of housing Legislation per taining to il had been kept in the rules committee he charged due to the pressure of the housing lobby which, he indicated. had influence with the Republican party "Of spe- eial privilege"
 Many political observers had pie tured Mir Truman as a man hang ing on the ropes almost before the fight had started. His speech in Philadelphia and his challenge to the Republican-cOntrO Congress indicated that rather. the Presi- dent, like the famed John Paul Jones, had just begun to fight.
 Next year Alaska would find out just how many people it has. Plans were under way for taking the 1850 census Interior Department estimated around 94,0OO in the Territory at the present time. Oth- CT estimates ran to more than 1OO,- 900. It could be hoped that a more accurate count would result this time than in 1889 when it was re- ported from many places in the Territory that residents had been overlooked. Just who would head up the census count in Alaska had not yet been determined but there was a possibility that it might be Will GOding, until recently head of the Commerce Department in the Territory. A Skagway boy, conver- sant with his Territory. he'd know where to look for noses.
 $%$ s#
 Among the laws enacted by the last Congress which will have some bearing on towns such as Wran- gell, Kodiak and Sitka. was Dele gate Bartlett's bill which author izes the Secretary of Interior 10 fs- sue unrestricted deeds to land Tn tOwnsites occupied by Alaskans of Indian, Aleut or EesKimo blood While it will effect other places, Wrangell and Kodiak particularly have considerable portions within their city limits held by restricted deed, or a deed which prohibits the holder of disposing of the property and leaves it tax free. Under the new law. holders of the land can become full-fledged owners and the property subject to being placed on the tax roll.
 (Continued on Page 6ix)