The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-03-31
pLATF0RM0F REPUBLICANS
 IS ADOPTED
Opposition 10 Present Statehood BiII-Lafhrop
 Nominated for Com.

Attainment of statehood foi Alaska-but not under the enabling act presently under consideration by the United States Congress-was advocated by Alaska Republican, in party platform adopted yester- day afternoon in the closing session of it's Territory wide caucus.
 The statehood plank in the party s platform "deplores the obvious in adequacy of H.R. 33l (the Bartlett statehood bilD in that it fails to specify the respective rights and privileges and the respective duties and obligations of the Federal gov erninent and the proposed State Of Alaska"
 The statehood plank was adopted after considerable discussion and a change from the original proposal There were two dissenting votes on it's adoption.
 Speakers opposing the present statehood bill stressed that it should contain more specific language re- garding reservations and the taking over of properties now owned by the federal government for Ise by the proposed state.
 Sid D. Charles, editor of the Ket- chikan Daily News, termed the pre- sent bill "double-cross of the people of Alaska" asserting that tbie is an entirely different and less lib- erpl bill than the one upon which he sings were held two years ago. Oppose Reservations The platform opposes reservations for Indians, Eskpnos or Aleuts in Alaska and calls for an immediate settlement of any and all aborigina claims; seeks protection for Alaskan industries which must compete with foreign products, and calls for Q house. cleaning in the various of fees, agencies and bureaus of the Territory
 (See the full text of the Republi- can Platform elsewhere in today s Empire)
 Adoption of the platform followed closely upon the nomination oi Austin E. Cap" Lathrop for Ma sional Committeeman. The we'll known Alaskan received the unani- nous vote of the delegates after J. 7. Morris of Anchorage announced that Elmer Rasmuson of that city was no longer candidate. Rasmu- son had previously been endorsed by Third Division Republicans.
 Lathrop's name was placed be fore the caucus by Mrs. Margaret E. White, Republican National Com mitteewoman. who said, Tt is most fitting that we honor this Alaskan at this time more than any o,hei time to show the people not only of Alaska but of the nation that we have every confidence in him."
 Seconding speeches were made by Sid D. Charles of Ketchikan fo' the First Division, Senator Charie~ D Jones of Nome for the Secont Division, Dr. Will H. Chase of Cor dova for the Third Division ant Senator Andrew Nerland of Fair banks for the Fourth Division.
 This meeting of united Repub lican Party is a gratifying and iii- spring sight" Cap" Lathrop told the assembled delegates. "The of- flee is entirely unsought by me, he continued. My own affairs keep me very busy and now Governor Gruening is proposing to assist me in them, but I intend to work for the party and to further it in every way possible"
 Other business in the closing ses- sion of the caucus included com mittee reports and the creation ci a special committee, headed by AL bert White, to conduct an investiga- ton of government corruption and misfeasance within the Territory
 The two-day caucus, attended by approximately 80 persons, came to 9 close at 5:30 pm. It was followed by a Republican banquet in the Bara- nof Hotel Gold Room.