The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-08-29
ALA5kk DELEGATE HERE FOR MEETING
 ON STATEHOOD
E. 1. (Bob) Bartlett Plans Tour of Territory-Dis-
 tusses Legislation

AlaSKd DelegdUe E.. IL. NbODl Bartlett, who arrived here yeSter- day by Pan American from Wash ington, DC, plans to take advan- tage of the time before the House reconvenes Septen-- CT 21, for a trip around the Territory.
 After attending meetings today and tomorrow of the Statehood Committee, of which he is an ex- officio member, Delegate Bartlett will go to Anchorage and the h. terior. He is scheduled to make a Labor Day address in Fairbanks.
 The delegate will be m Juneau for longer stay on his return
 Asked about progress of legis- lation affecting Alaska, Bartlett said today, T am hopeful that, be- fore Congress finally adjourns, it will appropriate the $l0,0000O0 re- quest granted in the Alaska Hous- ing Act. The Senate Appropriations Committee already has approved it..
 At any time" he continued, "the Bureau of the Budget is ex- pected to send to Congress a re- quest for a supplemental appro- priations bill for S2,000,O00 in cash and S8,O0o,000 in contract authority for the Alaska Public Works Act.
 GSA TO COME HERE
 If the appropriation is made, it is possible that some of the pro- jects may be started next spring. A committee of the General Serv- ices Administration would come here to decide which ones should be undertaken first.
 By that bill, you know, the Fed eral Government advances the total cost and is repaid varying per centages of it, the general over all average being 50 percent"
 The measure, which was intro duced i1y Delegate Bartlett, is the only Public Works Act now on the books for the entire United States. According to its author, it origi- mated in May, 1948, when President Truman presented the idea as an Alaska plank in his platform.
 Bartlett expects the signing any minute" of the Public Land Sales bill as amended by the Senate. "The House bill was better" commented the Alaska Delegate.
 This bill" he said, should be of considerable assistance, as it pro- vides means for acquiring land for commercial use"
 Speaking of another matter, Bart lett added, "Of course you know that the law has been modified to permit transportation on Canadian ships between Alaska points"
 FIRST DEFENSE LINE
 Everywhere in Washington, Dele gate Bartlett finds an increasing awareness of the importance ot Alaska. More and more, too, he says, those in high positions have come to realize that Alaska is the nations first line of defense.
 The delegate met with President Truman week before last Of that conference, Bartlett said, He re- emphasized the deep interest in the Territory which he has manifested so many times. Also" continued Bartlett, The authorized me to say that he considers it extremely essential for Congress to pass the Military Puolic Works bill authoriz- ing sl3O,0oO, 900 for Alaska projects"
 What about statehood?
 "The House may still vote on it at this session." Bartlett commen- ted.
 However, I do not really ex- pect them to act until next winter, when they probably will vote on statehood for both Alaska and Hawaii When the bill reaches the floor, l am sure both houses will pass it by an overwhelming ma jority."
 Before he left Washington, Dele gate Bartlett was appointed to two subcommittees of the House Mer- chant Marine and Fisheries Con- mittee-the subcommittee on Fish cries and Wildlife Conservation, and the subcommittee on Alaskan Problems.
 Through special action taken by the House a few weeks ago, the Delegates committee assignments were increased to four, the three others being the Committees on Armed Services, Agriculture and PuI5lic Lands.
 It was further announced that Bartlett also will He a member of the six-man special subcommittee to consider shipping problems oi Alaska. This is headed by Congress man Frank w. Boykin of Alabama.
 Mrs. Bartlett had hoped to &C., company her husband, but was un- able to join her husband for the trip this time. She sends her best regards to her numerous Juneau friends