The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-06-09

is not an economic bill pretense of solving any of the Territory's fundamental problems. Alaska cannot afford statehood at the present time.
 Alaska after 85 years a Federal Territory m recent years has been unable adequately to support itself in it's present Territoral status "Ihese are not matters of criticism or disgrace directed at the inhabitants of the Territory These are hard cold facts which must be faced py the Members of the Congress in the consideration o1 ths legislation.
 Aaskans cannot be held responsible TOT siVua- tion which has as it's inherent qualities an almost total lack of basic industries, staggering wage Scae long freight haus for all commodities and the cloud of Indian claims against Territorial lands as 1ur- ther deterrent to industrial development Federal spending in Alaska, including the multi millon-dolar projects for and defense IS at a peak Aside from the salmon industry which IS de- clning Federal spending constitutes the Territory $ main industry.
 "When this bubble bursts, Alaskans will be faced with extreme economic hardship. The population must decline without industries to replace the GoVerhlehO building program. Beyond the conversation ol the bureaucrats there new industries lh lhheoa'e prospect now There have been none added to the Territorial economy in the past year, despite the loud optimism expressed by the statehood proponents the Senate COmmlttee on 1HJeIIOi anu Affairs last April
 "This will that money will be increasingly scorce for those who remain in Alaska Theirs will be the job of continuing to support the expensive lerl torial government that has been allowed to grow during the lush years Federal spending for defense The resultant peril of financial chaos and govern mental bankruptcy would be multiplied many times over bv thrusting statehood the Territory at the present time with the added burden ot supporting the new State government now and later when the golden torrent of Federal dollars has ended
 Alaska now has almost every kind of tax to be found anywhere else in the country. Wlth Uhe hew toxes inst enacted it is estimated that Territorial taxes will now amount to s126 per capita per year. figure higher than that of any other State
 statehood is expected to double the cost Of government for Territorial inhabitants adding ap- $10OOO,OOO to their annual tax oli
 "Is this a proper burden with which to saddle A1askans so that a handful of ambitious politicians may realize their dreams of becoming senator's Mehi hers of the House of Representatives, judges, and other officials of the proposed new State mat IS the only direct benefit for a handful of Alaskans, that passage of the pending Dill cah Hope 'o 'oii'eS M question answers itself.
 "Out of the O8OO0 inhabitants of Alaska (aSlde from military and naval personneD, between Soooo
 d os mn are natives who are nonproducing and who,
 
 terefore contribute little to the Territorial government The effect of is to increase the h,rden on that segment of the population that does produce
 ITO grant statehood at this time is to fall utterly in our obligation to guard the welfare of those who have yentured to the Territory to make ther homes and who are bravely striving to lead normal lives there in the face of a harsh combination of climatic and geographical handicaps."
 This report, recommended reading to any and everyone interested in statehood for Alaska includes the majority report, presented recently by senator O,Mahoney chairman of the Committee on Interior and Insuar Affairs.
 The minority portion of the report is signed by Senators Hugh Butler Nebraska George w. Malone, Nevada; Arthur V. Watkins, Utah; Russell B. Long, I ouisiana and George A. Smathers, Florida
 Should you be interested in reading the complete report suggest you ask your congressman to send you Senate Report No 315.