The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-10-07
Another
Message
For A|askans
FROM HENRY R0DEN

Resident Alaskan for SO years; early
day prospector and miner in Thiro
and Fourth Divisions (Rampart
Fairbanks. Iditarod; former As
I sistant United States Attorney al
Flat: member of First Territorial
Legislature 1918. representing Fourth
Division; President of Territorial
Senate, 1941, elected from First
Division; Attorney General of AL
aska. 1941-45; Territorial Treasurer,
1949-5O; unopposed candidate to
succeed himself in that office.
Despite AL Whites leather-lunged
efforts to confuse the voter, the
issues of a political campaign have
never been clearer in Alaska than
is the case now. Alaskans are too
wise to AL, and to his new-found
friends, to be readily misled They
will answer him at the polls, Oct
ober 10th by retaining progressive
administration and a Democratic
Legislature.
Now, as during the past twenty
years, the main issue before AL
askans is this: Shall Alaska con-
troll its own destiny or shall con-
troll be vested outside of Alaska?
The forces which long dominated
Alaska-politically, legislatively and
economically-wer given their first
decisive defeat in 1913. They are
now making a laSt-ditch stand to
regain control, to dominate again.
No holds are barred in their des-
perate efforts to turn back the
clock. No punch is too low in their
campaign of character aSsassina-
ton and smear. No untruth or
half truth is, by their standards,
for purposes of this campaign dis
honorable. They represent the or
ganized forces generally from Out
side which have long considered
Alaska their own private happy
hunting grounds.
Let me repeat from my earlier
Message to AlaSkans:
Because l face no opposition in
the Forthcoming election 1 can
analyze the situation in Alaska dis
passionately. The Republicans, al
though they have had much to say
about the conduct OF Territorial
affairs, did not see fit to nonnin-
ate a candidate for Territorial
Treasurer.
ITO date not one single pro-
gressive measure has been advo-
Gated by any Republican candidate.
They ask that the government of
the nation and Territory be re-
turned to them, as in the good old
days-the days when veterans stood
on each street corner selling apples
and pencils; when millions of I'M
employed were searching garbage
for something to take home to their
hungry children; when the banks
were closed, factories were idle and
when workingmen asking for food
were dispersed by soldiers.
The present administration in
Alaska has been the most progress
i've in the history of the Territory.
The last session of the Legislature
and all credit to the handful of
Republicans who voted with the
majority-did more to put Alaska's
house in order and bring it abb
reast of the times than did any
previous Legislature since and ex-
cepting the 1913 Session. The cleo
ton now of legislators pledged to
undo that program would be a
tragic step backwards.
THE Territory would be hope
lessly bankrupt by this time with
out the basic revenue measures adj
opted last session. We are on a
cash basis and are paying all our
bills as they are presented.
To-day we have an excellent
school system. Our University is
gaining national recognition. The
Pioneers Home is operated splend-
idly. We now have a Pioneer Wo-
mems Home. Our senior citizens
need no longer go begging. Our
health problems are being met.
Discrimination between races has
disappeared. Many hundreds of
miles of roads and trails have been
constructed, airplane landing fields
built and numerous floats, harbors,
and gridirons for fishermen in
stalled.
Eyes, Alaska is moving ahead.
Keep it moving, keep it growing
and progressing by voting on Oct
ober tenth for candidates who will
work not for their own selfish ends
but for the public good and Alas