The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-03-12

we want to get out of the well fare business" Wade said, and add ed that his only concern is whether the Territory will have sufficient funds to take care of the program.
 How well are you taking care of the Natives now?" asked Rep. Mis- covich
 Not very well,' Wade replied. He said that general relief assistance payments to Natives had been about half the amount paid to white re- cipients. He also suggested that the Territory take over the ANS vel fare programs on a piecemeal basis, starting with general relief assist ance this year and picking up board ing home care and medical pro- grams in the future.
 Wade said the ANS had $242, ,786 for it's entire welfare program last year and that $164,000 has been requested for the general relief assistance portion of the program next year.
 Pay No Taxes
 In answer to a question by Rep Miscovich, Wade said that five h. dian-owned salmon canr tries in Southeast Alaska, most of them purchased through Wheeler How ard Act loans, do not pay trap taxes, case taxes or other taxes to the Territory. Native-owned cooperative stores in the Second District are also ex- empt, he said.
 What would happen to our if nances if all the Alaska salmon can neries are puchased by the Indians with Wheeler Howard Act loans?" Rep. Hendrickson wanted to know Wade was excused from answer ing. He said, however, that the ex- emption is based on an opinion by the Attorney General and doubt has been expressed that it would stand up in court.
 Would Urge Payment we would urge them to pay all Territorial taxes as soon as their loans are repaid and they are fi- 1 nancially on their feet" Wade said.
 This cannery ownership by the l Native people has a direct bearing on the relief problem" said Rep. Andrew Hope "The canneries were purchased primarily to insure em- i ployment for these people. If the canneries are prosperous it will cut down on the amount of relief need ed by these people and I am sure that they will be happy to pay taxes the same as other people" Wade warned the House mem bers that it will probably cost more for the Welfare Department to ad- minister the general relief program among the Natives than it costs the Alaska Native Service. Ess
 Teachers Retirement
 House Bill 85, also unanimously approved and sent to the Senate amends the Teachers Retirement Act by providing for compulsory retirement at age 60 instead of 65 and permitting retired teachers to engage in teaching ill the States while receiving retirement benfits.
 Hous Bill fl, to repeal the Alaska Property Tax Act, failed to pass the House on a 12-12 vote after long debate and some parliamentary maneuvering.
 A motion by Rep. McCutcheon to indefinitely postpone the bill lost 8-16.
 Attacking the repeal bill, Rep. McCutcheon pulled out all the stops, cited lack of funds to increase pen sions for the pioneers, treasury deficit and need for all possible revenues. He repeated, too, the often repeated story of the vast value of absentee-owned salmon canneries that pay no taxes while we are 1 taxed to build schools and streets and churches and all other things that make up an Alaskan com munity."
 Hampers Progress
 Rep. Stepovich named the proper ty tax bar to progress in building up the industries of the Territory. Rep. Wells, one of the authors of the bill, asserted that it is great hardship on the Native people who can ill afford to pay it, while Rep, Hope contended that it is no hard- ship to the Natives because their properties are not generally of great value.
 "The law is now in litigation and isn't bringing cent into the treas ury," said Rep. Hendrickson. Tt would be dangerous to count on it as a source of revenue in making up budget"
 T don't want to be in the position of voting to kill tax law that might bring in badly needed rev. enues," said Rep. Franklin. T do wish to point out, however that | it costs about g cents to collect each dollar under the property tax