The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-03-31
BOTH SIDES ARE READY
 TO TESTIFY
Groups of All Walks of Life in Wdshingion-1o
 Appear dt Hearing
By CHARLES D. WATKINS

WASHINGTON, March 3l.-I8s-- Alaskans from all walks of life are here to carry before the Senate h. terior Committee tomorrow their support and opposition to the ap- pointment of Gov. Ernest Gruening of Alaska for another term.
 The committee set the hearing on Gruening's nomioation, after two postponements to give residents of the Territory an opportunity to voice their views in person.
 Four members Of the Alaskan Legislature are here to oppose con- firmation, while four others came in a party of 43 to urge approval of the nomination.
 The opponents also include Cap tain Austin E. Lathrop, Fairbanks newspaper, theater and mine owner and banker, Republican. Lathroo said Gruening doesn't belong in Alaska at all" and said the Govern or's chief interest in in promotion of Gruening rather than of tho Territory"
 The Other Side But 1t was different story from the jubilant 43 who flew here and cheered C;ruening's names as they alighted at the National Airport.
 They said each one had paid his or her own way to speak up for the Governor.
 l And, they labeled opponents to i the governors confirmation ''iie hards' who had fought Gruening's tax and other programs in the leg islature and had lost.
 Governor Gruening is the only governor the Territory has had who acted as 8 governor should and who has showed interest h the peorle of the Territory and their welfare e,' Mayor 2. J. Loussac of Anchorage told reporter.
 He is the only one of the gos- ernors who has had the welfare of the Territory at heart"
 Other Views Expressed Stanley J. McCutcheon. Speaker of the Territorial House of Repre- sentatives, spokesman for the parry, said the group believes Gruening has given the Territory the best government in the history of Alaska and feels that for the Senate pot to confirm him now will be blow to plans for continuing the fight for statehood We pioneers feel he should be retained"
 We are here to see what we can do in behalf of statehood and what we can do in behalf of our loyal friend. Governor Gruening." Cla:- ence Heating, Democratic member of the Territorial House, said.
 He said members of the legisla- ture on the Democratic ticket ran on platform to support Gruening's tax program and other reforms.
 We put the program across be- fore the legislature adjourned" Heating told reported "A few die-hards are now trying to humil- fate Governor Gruening. The Ter ritory wants him reappointed, def- initely."
 Mrs. Audrey Cutting. Anchorage realtor. said the people of the Territory are for the reappointment of Gruening" while Miss Dorothy Tyner, Anchorage, said she believed Governor Gruening could not be improved upon by any appoint mentv
 T believe she exclaimed, that if he ran for Governor of Alaska in an election, he would be over- whelmingly elected by the people"
 Others In Group Tn the group was William Beltz,, first Eskimo elected to the Alaska legislature on the Democratic ticket, Joe Nashalook, Unalakleet, and Lester Roberts. Juneau. Nasha- look is secretary of fisherman's union, while Roberts is Grand Sec- retary of the Alaska Native Broth- erhooc
 All three said they favored Gruening's confirmation.
 Arthur Eide. president of the Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo IS. An- chorage, asserted he has lived in the Territory for 35 years. knew all of the Territorial governors. and "Gruening has done more for the people than any other governor"
 We pioneers feel he should be retained" he said.
 Has First Air Trip
 Mrs, Fannie T. Phillips. complet-