The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-03-20
HOUSE KILLS W0RkkEN'5
 COMP. BILL
By BOB DE ARMOND


 amending upward the benefits for permanent partial disabilities under the Workmen's Compensation Act, failed to pass the House on a 12-10 reconsideration vote this morning.
 Yesterday, when the bill passed 13-9, Rep. Wilbur gave notice of his intention to reconsider.
 There was no debate when the bill came up for the second time. but Rep. Kay made plea for its pas sage. This is not harsh meas ure, will not greatly increase in- surance rates and provides very fair increase in the benefits to the people who work with their hands" Kay said.
 He said. however, that he would not issue a call of the House for the two absent members, although their presence would assure pas- sage of the bill.
 Reps. Laws and Degnan were ab- sent yesterday afternoon and this morning, having gone to Sitka to inspect the Alaska Pioneers Home. They were expected to return at noon today
 School Bills
 Senate Bill 92, to amend the law relating to the qualifications for the office of Commissioner of Educa- ton. held over for Rep. Scavenius' reconsideration, again passed the House this morning. The vote was 16-6. On it's first passage, yesterday, the vote was 18-4.
 The House this morning approved s. B. 54 appropriating $1,356.86 to compensate Alaska Coachways, of Fairbanks, for losses sustained on it's school transportation contract during the polio epidemic of last fall.
 Also approved was s. B. 38, amending the law relating to re- funds to schools by the Territorial Department of Education.
 The House tabled by 15-6 vote s. B. 50, which would limit the authority of City Councils to disap- prove school budgets.
 Three Conference Committee re- ports were adopted by the House this morning: On H. B. AT, relating to old age assistance from the De- partment of Public Welfare; on H. B. 107, the lengthy banking code for the Territory, and on s. B. 5, relating to checks drawn without sufficient funds. All three bills now go to the Governor for approval.
 At 1:3O pm. today the House was to go into joint session with the Senate to hear William Kepner on problems of civil defense.
 Monday Afternoon
 During the Monday afternoon ses- sion of the House bill to allow the Territorial Board of Education to establish the qualifications for the office of Commissioner of Edu- cation was passed by a vote of l8-4, but was held over another day on reconsideration notice by Rep. Sea- venius.
 Scavenius had unsuccessfully at temnted to amend the bill to spell out certain qualifications for the of- flee. The amendments would nave required the Commissioner be over 30 years of age, in sound health, to possess a masters degree in educa- ton and to have held a supervisory position in a public school system for at least three years.
 "The Alaska school system IS pltl- fully antiuuated," Scavenius charg- ed in offering his amendments. Tt is back in the horse and buggy days and needs to be brought up to the standards found in the States"
 This statement was objected to by Reps. Barnes, Hendrickson and Kay who felt that the Alaska educational system need take back seat to no one. and they gained Scavenius lit tie support for his amendments. Teachers Opposed The bill had been opposed by a number of Alaska school teachers, including members of the Alaska ! Educational Association. until the last moment. Elwin Dell, of Doug las. who had appeared before House committees as spokesman for the Educational Association and in op- position to the bill, told the House yesterday that his authority to speak for the association had been withdrawn the previous evening. Dell offered his personal opinion that the bill should be amended before passage to require that the Commissioner of Education be an experienced school administrator He said, however, that he did not (Continued on Page Two)