The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-11-29


A Lot of Debate Due
But Senator Russell (D-Ga),
quarterbacking drive to block the
measure, insisted there is no Or
ganized filibuster." He conceded,
however, that his forces planned
"a lot of debate" before even this
first round of the battle ends.
At issue is whether to sidetrack
pending legislation and let first the
Alaskan and then the Hawaiian
statehood bills come up for debate
and a vote. Both bills will die auto
matically if they are not passed by
Jan. 3.
Senators generally take it for
granted that the fate of the Alaska
statehood bill is apt to be the fate
also of the Hawaii measure.
Lucas Asks Right of Way
Lucas, who made the motion to
give the statehood bills right-of-
way, told reporters he will take at
least another day to test out the
opposition's strength before decid-
i ing whether--or what-new steps
may be needed.
Senator Taft (R-Ohio) announced
he would vote against giving the
statehood bills the rigt-of-way. He
told reporters, however, the Senate
COP Policy Committee which he
heads has not taken a stand on the
issue.
Both major party platforms adj
vocate statehood for the two terri
| tories.
Senators Walk Out on Bill
! After the opening speech yester-
day in favor of the bill by Senator
O'Mahoney D-Wyo), Senators
strayed out of the Chamber until
only handful remained. The SER
geant at arms finally was sent out
to round up absentees and assem-
bic a quorum. There appeared to be
little prospect of a vote on even
taking up the bill before Thursday,
and maybe not then.
O'Mahoney had told his colleagues
that defeat of the statehood bills
would bolster the Kremlin's claims
that the United States is colonial
power. Their passage. he said, would
be "a complete answer to Soviet
propaganda" He said the Reds are
spreading the word that the US.
is mainly interested in making
money in Alaska and Hawaii and
that "all our talk about self-govern-
ment is so much delusion."
O'Mahoney told reporter he
thought filibuster was likely.
Butler Says Statehood Danger
Senator Butler (R-Neb), ranking
COP member of O'Mahoney's In
terror committee, charged that
statehood for the two territories
would pave the way for "left-wing-
ers" to enter the Senate.
He told the Senate the people
of Alaska and Hawaii ARE not their
own BOSSES" that their elections are
controlled by radical labor groups"
And with statehood, he said, these
groups could send radicals to the
Senate.
Butler argued there was not "the
slightest need for haste" on state
hood and that instead of helping
Alaska, the statehood bill would
hurt the territory.
Senator Russell told the Senate
that "if ever there was time from
military standpoint" when state
hood should not be granted to the
territories it is now.
Statehood Mistake
He said it would be mistake to
place Alaska in the hands of "a
new, untried state government"
when there "is danger of attack"
Senator Stennis D-Miss) en-
dorsed what Russell said and called
the drive for Alaskan statehood at
this time shocking"
OF Alaskas 100000 square mile
area, he said, all but $500 square
miles is owned by the government.
Better Look to Korea
The Mississippian suggested that
Congress might better occupy itself
with the plight Of American forces
in Korea, and observed in conclu-
sion:
IF we need some more states let's
get them from Texas
O'Mahoney. floor manager for the
bill, asked Stennis if he thought it
possible to reach vote on the mo-
ton today. Stennis said he couldn't
shed any light on that. He added,
significantly. that "the opposition to
the bill is growing by leaps and
bounds. and / think there will be