The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1951-02-16
JENSEN HAS
FOOT INSIDE
H0U5ED00R
BY JIM HUTCHINSON

noon that former Rep. Marcus Jen-
sen had one foot inside the legisla-
tive doors.
The senate voted to Z this
| morning to sit with the house in
joint session behind locked doors
to hear what the former Douglas
legislator has to lay before them.
Jensen has virtually had his hand
on the door twice before, but notices
for reconsideration of the votes
blocked his appearance before each
house individually. This time he APP
peared definitely slated beyond
hope of reconsideration - to go be-
fore the joint session at pm. to-
day in what many legislators have
predicted was likely to be stormy
session.
1t is the fourth straight day that
''Paffaire Jensen" has been the days
major issue before one house or the
other.
Through those four days it has
been an ION again, off again, gone
again" proposition
The senate did considerable talk
ing about Jensen and what he
might present to the legislature be-
fore it voted to join the house be-
hind closed doors.
The senate also found time to
pass two bills.
Bars Legislators
1t voted unanimously for Steve
McCutcheon's bill to forbid ap-
pointment of any member of the
legislature to any board or COM
mission.
McCutcheon said there had been
charges from some sources that the
administration had been loading
some commissions with members of
the legislature" He expressed the
opinion it was undesirable to have
legislators passing laws a bou t
boards or commissions and then sit
ting on them. g.u q fe.
Sen. Frank Barr Cd Fairbanks) !,
member of the aeronautics COM
mission which the legislature Gre
ated, said he favored the bill al
though it was some times difficult
to fill boards with member from
each division without going into the
legislative ranks. He said there was
danger of legislator favoring put
ting projects in areas where the
most votes might be.
The other bill passed by the sem
ate was a house-approved measure
to allow the attorney general to
name more than one assistant. At
torney General Gerald Williams
had told the senate his office was
unable to give proper legal service
to all departments with the present
manpower.
Jensen Case
The Jensen affair came up the
first thing this morning when the
senate heard the house invitation
to a Joint session. The house had
voted for it late yesterday.
Senator McCutcheon asked unan-
imous consent to accept the invita-
ton to the house. Sen. John Butro-
yich (R-Fairbanks) objected
Both Sen. Howard Lying Cd
Nome) argued that the senate
should go ahead and hear Jensen
without the house.
1.-The letter was addressed to the
senate and it is our duty to hear
him." said Lying. THE house refused
to give him a hearing. Nothing pro-
hibits the house from advising Jen-
sen it now has changed its mind
and is willing to hear him."
A bit later Lying suggested that
Jensen might not want to be heard
by a joint session.
His feelings may have been hurt
when the house SO summary turn
ed him down." said the senator
whatever other qualities Mr.. Jen-
sen has, he is temperamental and
excitable person, you know"
The vote came after senators re-
ported Jensen would be glad to APP
pear before a joint session. Jensen's
request, however, had been for an
open session.
Open Hearing
Sen. Heinie Snider argued thai
it should be open; sits the people
who send us down here and why
should we go behind closed doors
so they don't know what is COINS
on?"
Senator McCutcheon argued fol
the joint session. He said tina
whatever Jensen may have to pre-
sent, it seems to be matter for al
the legislators. Jensen says it is TO-