The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-09-10
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

There seems to be little prospect for early settlement of the mari- time strike which has tied up Pa cifie Coast ports and as a result left Alaska without ships, although Alaska longshoremen are not on strike and would work the boats if they came north. Predictions are that the tieup may run on for from three to six months. If an early settlement is not reached, best bet is that the strike will last until after the November elections, be- cause actually, among other things 1t is a test of the Taft-Hartley act, a very potent political issue in the present campaign. Republicans in Congress were for it and passed it. President Truman vetoed it on t1e grounds that it was not workable in it's present form but it was passed over his veto. Labor gener- ally has denounced the law, ana labor, at the same time. has thrown much of it's support to the
 
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 Up in the Second Division they are passing the word around that everything is rosy with the Terri torial treasury. Main apostle off this thought is Charley Jones, holdover Senator from Nome. The Senator is quoted as saying that all the bills are paid and he be- lieves there is plenty of money.
 Elsewhere is this oldest continu- ously published newspaper in Al aska, may be found report from Territorial Treasurer Oscar G. OI- son as to the state of business of the treasury as of the end of Aug ust. Says the Treasurer:
 "ActiCn of the Board of Admin istration in freezing funds in the amount of $1,038,OOO appropriated by the last Legislature has kept the general fund from being en- tirely depleted months ago."
 Senator Jones was a member of the last session which voted ap- prOpriatiOns tobaling more than $10,000,000 against revenues of a. bout S6,50O,00O, failed to balance it's budget and tossed the task of trying to keep the Territory oper- ating without a deficit into the lap of the Board of Administration which consists of the Governor, At torney General Treasurer, Auditor, Highway Engineer and Commits siOner of Education. The Board, within its legal limitations, seems to have done a fairly good job of keeping the ship of state on its course after it was abandoned by the 18th Legislature in storm of discord. In fairness, it should be said that there were members of the 18th, particularly in the House, who tried to balance the budget, but the so-called Senate bloc, of which Senator Jones was a mem- Der, would have none of it.
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 There's a great deal of prognCs- ticating these days as to who might be Governor of Alaska if the Republicans are successful in Nov ember. Among those mentioned are most of the Who's Who in active Alaska COP politics. Republican leaders themselves, however, are not too optimistic about getting one of their own for Governor. They know Alaskans can deliver no votes for either major party. Alaskans do not vote for President. They know that if the Dewey-War- Ten ticket wins there will be a lineup for jobs by the boys who were active in the various States, and figure they are entitled to something. In the long history of Alaska governorships, only two ap pointees were actually residents ot the Territory when appointed George Parks, Republican, ant John Troy, Democrat. The record is not impressive in favor of Alas kans, and the COP heads who will have something to do with Alaska patronage. are not building up any false hopes.
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 Look for some spirited campaign ing in the few weeks remaining before the Alaskan election Octob CT 12. The candidates are begin. ming to hit the highways and by ways. Party organizations are get ting their campaign funds together for newspaper and radio advortis ing and for the nonce polite, promise to be as heavy as the tor rential rains of the last few days.
 TronKr TS00NE uAnATInN