The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1949-07-07
ACTION SOON ON
SIS MILLION FOR
ALASKA HOUSING
Governor Speaks TO Cham
/ Der on Territorial Leg
isIation in Congress

w.
Action on Alaska's $15,00o,000
housing appropriation may be
Forthcoming from Congress next
week, Gov. Ernest Gruening said
this noon, appearing before the
Chamber of Commerce meeting at
the Baranof.
Information ON the possibilities
for action on the housing funds
came from Delegate E. L. Bartlett
in an early morning telephone con-
ference, the Governor said.
Gruening had no comments on
the state of the Territory this
noon, combining his remarks to
Alaskan legislation in the Congress
SIGNAL hopper in Washington.
In his second public appearance
since his reappointment as Gov
ernor of Alaska and his recent re-
turn from Washington, DC, he
told the Chamber that Alaskan
legislation has suffered the fate OF
practically all legislation in the
slow-moving 81st Congress.
Only Alaskan legislation to have
passed is the Alaska Housing
Authority bill, but. the Governor
added, until the $l5,OO0,O0O accom-
panying appropriation has heen
passed, the action cannot be termed
significant
TELL PLANS FOR COLLEGE
Gruening shared the speakers
table with two representative OF
the Methodist Church who are in
Alaska investigating site for
establishment of liberal arts COL
lege in Alaska.
The Rev. P. Gordon Gould, di-
rector Of Methodist work in
Alaska, introduced his colleague.
Dr., John o. Gross, executive Sec
rotary, Methodist Board of Educa-
ton from Nashville, Tenn. The two
church men will leave Saturday for
Fairbanks and go to Anchorage for
further study of a suitable loca-
ton for situating their planned
educational institution. Present
plans call for college adequate to
handle between $50 and 200 stu
dents, DR.. Gross said.
ON STATEHOOD BILL
On the vital issue of statehood
for Alaska, Gov. Gruening told the
Chamber members that the state
hood bill still rested in the Rules
Committee files. Congress is split
on support for both Hawaii and
Alaska statehood, a factor which
may effect possible passage of the
measure, the Governor said Some
are opposed to statehood for Hawaii
while favoring Alaskan statehood,
and vice versa, situation which
might forestall immediate action.
The Governor indicated he had
little way of knowing what the 81st
Congress will eventually do on the
measure.
PUBLIC WORKS
The Community Facilities Bill
which would provide means for the
Territory and municipalities to OBJ
tain Federal aid for public works
on matching basis has received
favorable attention in the Senate,
Governor Gruening said, adding
that he believed the committee
would report out the bill favorably.
ON FOREST ROADS
Particularly disappointing. the
Governor said, was the rejection by
Congress of request for money for
roads in Southeast Alaska's forest
areas.
Gov. Gruening described as "un-
just" the situation which restricts
road building in the Southeast
Alaska while extensive road build
ing projects progress in the West
ward and Interior.
He was impressed, he said, with
the particular handicap which Ter
ritories suffer in attempting to
obtain adequate representation in
Congress.
Territories, with their limited
representation, cannot measure up
to the power of the states and
suffer thereby he said.
The Governor said he did not ex-
pect that Congress would adjourn
much before the end of August at
their present slow tempo OF prog
ress.
John Ashbaugh, program chair
man, introduced the speakers OF the
day.
Officers from aboard the Navy
Cruiser USS Pasadena were among
guests at the CHAMBER luncheon
including Capt. j. r. PAIL, COM
handing officer; Cmdr. r. O. Beer,
executive officer; 1t. Cmdr. F. d.
Libbetts, chaplain; 1t. Harry r.
a<<ck \