The Wrangell sentinel., 1953-10-23

 THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

Pointing For '9

FEh1SCJEE
 
 Pointing For '54
 Democrats were whooping it up in SkagWay today. They were hold ing a First Division convention to name some delegates to attend a Territorial convention scheduled for Juneau in January. Wrangell and Sukine precincts were being represented by Senator James NOl- an, flying weather permitting. The Senator. as District Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks lodge, also was paying uis visitation to the Skag- Elks lodge of which Democratic Divisional Chairman Wheaton of the town Soapy Smith made famous, is the Exalted Ruler. Between them, they'll probably come up with something.
 Meanwhile, here and there we note Republicans are naming pre- cinct committees. probably the fore runner of a Republican jubilee which likely will be staged before too long, all indicative that 1O54 will be quite a political year. al though a non-Presidential election year.
 Where's the Money Coming Front
 It's an old familiar question which is being kicked around again in connection with a proposed pub lie works program in various com munities aimed to alleviate distress following a generally blank fish ing season. The thought has been advanced from some official sources that the rich Uncle down in Wash ington might be prevailed upon to spring, and perhaps he will. Gov ernOr Heintzleman, who has been back in the national capital pur- suing this line of endeavor, is an able salesman.
 In the interim, that venerable custodian of the Territory's public coffors. Treasurer Henry ROden. re- ports a net cash balance in the treasury of eleven million-plus dol lars, of which. he hastens to eX- plain, around seven million is in earmarked funds or committed for certain purposes. Such as $750,O00 to maintain the new Territorial police force and other items. De- ducting the ear-marked funds, there would appear to be between four and five million dollars in the Territorial treasury which isn't committed for any specific purpose which is subject to legislative ac- tion.
 Far be it from us to suggest a special session of the Legislature to divert some of this money to public projects in communities hardest hit by the bleak fishing season, but there it is. Most of it is money paid into the treasury by Alaska taxpayers through the in rome tax.
 If there is an acute emergency and the general welfare is tremb- ling on its foundation, it requires Is days for the Governor to call a special session of the Legislature to enact the necessary legislation, providing, of course, the lawmakers could ever agree on where and how to use the money to assist the greatest number of people. Also, special sessions in the past have cost around $50,0O0, which possibly would leave only around four and a half million dollars subject to leg islatiye action.
 Now that we've put in our two bits worth as to Where's the money coming from" let's get on with the duck shooting.
 About The Territory
 J. L. McCarrey. Anchorage at torney, is the new district judge in the Third Division, Anchorage, suc- ceeding the late Anthony J. Di- mond .. All Alaska Chamber of Commerce meeting scheduled short ly for Mckinley Park has been can- celled due to the death of Cecil Wells of Fairbanks, its President, who Is reported murdered. Rake and Hoonah are reported to be a couple of the hardest hit cOmmun- ities in the Southeast by the poor fishing season consolidation of eanneries for the 1854 packing season is being given serious con- sideration Effort Is being made to boom Nome as the site of an historical museum, stressing the gold rush days. If there Is any money floating around, Wrangell could do with a lot of harbor im- provements.
 l. W.