The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-06-16
PRICE REVIEWS
 BILLS AIMED AT
 ALASKA GROWTH


 A top Department of Interior official this noon gave the Cham Ler of Commerce an overall pie ture of legislation in the Congress sional hopper aimed at Alaskan development.
 Reginald Price, special assistant to Assistant Secretary William E.. Walne, Department of Interior, spoke for a full half-hour before the group outlining the status of vital bills on statehood, transpor- tation, power and settlement.
 The Department of Interior is taking steps toward the solution of removal of obstacles which have blocked the development of Alaska for years," Price said.
 DISCUSSES STATEHOOD On the matter of statehood, Price reported that the bill is, at last information, -ogged down in the House Rules Committee. where number of obstacles are prevent ing it from going to the floor. Support from both Democratic and Republicans can be expected on the measure, he said, with a representative group going to bat for the bill
 HOUSING PICTURE On the housing front, Price told the Chamber that the program for meeting the problem is in full swing, with the Alaska Housing Authority act providing means for getting the ball rolling on housing in Anchorage and Juneau.
 First shovels of dirt for 264- unit housing development in An chorage will be moved next week, he said, adding that with the im- plementation of the $l5,0O0, 900 re- volving fund for the Alaska Hous- ing Authority, the problem, one of Alaska's most vital, would be near solution.
 TRANSPORTATION MEASURES On the subject of Transportation, Price cited two aills before Con- gress, HR 22l and HR 2634, aimed at providing for transporting passengers and freight on Cana dian vessels in Southeast Coast wise shipping.
 HR 2634, providing for Canadian transportation between. Haines, Skagway and Hyder and other Southeast ports, has passed the House and is now before the Sem ate Committee. He added that the Department is hoping for quick passage without further modifica- tion.
 ALASKA RAILROAD FUNDS Interior Department efforts to secure restoration of funds cut from appropriations for the Alaska Railroad were referred to by Price. He said that both Secretary Julius A. Krug and Warne have appeared before the Senate Committee to testify on the special need for funds for railroad rehabilitation.
 POWER PROJECT MEASURES
 Two companion bills, aimed at development of power potentials in Alaska are in the legislative mill, Price said. HR 940, reported out favorably by the Public Lands Committee yesterday, authorizes the $21 100000 Eklutna hydroelectric project, serving the Anchorage area
 A proposal to extend the recla- nation law--now limited to the Western states--to Alaska is now tefore the Bureau of Budget.
 AID TO SETTLEMENT
 Citing tie up of lands by obsolete land laws as one of the main ob- stacles in Alaskan settlement, Price referred to two pieces of legisla- tion aimed at easing the situa- ton.
 Price cited HR 2859 which pro- vides for the sale of puSlic lands, and which received the endorse ment of theS Chamber in the busi- ness session preceding the speaker This would provide one vehicle for tn quick disposition of land. he said.
 About the Lemke Bill, HR 4424, Price indicated that the Depart nient of Interior would be in favor of such legislation with certain revisions. including administrative discretion regarding size. limita- tons on land plots, and a restric-
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