The Wrangell sentinel., 1955-01-28
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE
Under Control

eau indicate that the Territorial Legfs s.ature got underway this week without more than the us- ual number of political casualties. Senator Jim Noian of Wrangell was elected President of the Sem ate. Rep. Wendell Kay of Anch- orage was selected Speaker of the House and Peter Wood. Juneau realtor. was Pearl Harbored-"
 Pete. candidate for Chief Clerk of the House. says he was Stabbed in the back" by what be described as the "Gruening wing of elected legislators and their henchmen." John McLaugh- lin. who had more recently been Pearl Harbored- out of the Elm pioyment Security Commission by having his job eliminated. got the Chief Clerks post. Wood re- signed from the Democratic Cen trai Committee and went back to selling real estate. leaving a riff in the Democratic ranks which hay become more pronounced be- fore the se-siay session is over.
 Election or veteran Senator No Ian to direct the activities Of the Senate indicated that august body is settled down to considering the welfare of the Territory with politics taking a minor role. Jim would have been happy with the chairmanshlp of the finance com mtftee on which he has served with distinction but apparently his colleagues were Of a mind that his ability proven through years Of service in both House ana Senate would be of greater value in the Presidents chair. The Senator. it developed after Democratic party caucus. had no opposition. The Republican min ority. however. rendered a nice compliment to Wrangell's junior Senator Doris N. Barnes by presenting her name on the first ballot. She Eraciously moved for and received a unanimous ballot for her fellow townsman.
 With the budget gap no doubt tn mind. President Nolan ap- pointed Republican Senator John Butrovich of Fairbanks to head the finance committee. A post he has filled ably in previous years Busroxich is considered one of the best informed men in the Terri tory on its financial structure.
 H was also a walkawav for Wendell Kay in the House but there too. the Republican minor ity extended a compliment to it's senior member Ed Jocken of Pet ershurE by presenting his name for the Speakarship. He aso de- clared for the unanimous ballot for his Democratic opposite
 As we've long been pointing ont. it's quite a combination - shat Nolan and Jocken and Barnes
 Power Study
 After long study of the power potential in this area. the City Council has moved for direct ac- ton. This week 1t authorized an engineering firm to prepare a re- port on Pats Lake for which it had previously asked a permit from the Federal Power Commis- sion. Included in the report will be the result of a survey also on Ccneh Greek and lake. or Kunk lake as known to the EPIC. on Etosin Island across from Pats.
 As pointed out by the power and utility committee. headed by Councilman Einar Ottesen the town is faced with industrial growing pains which probably will require the production of more electric energy. Looking a. head. the Council has found it is f@ced with enlargement of its present diesel plant or possible development of hydro electric power as a supplemental unit. To determine the potential of the sites. both adjacent to the com munisy. engineering surveys are necessary.
 It's our theory. the Council is acting with lsudable foresight in ohtaissinK engineering studies at this time. It's a problem of com munity expansion which must be met and time ts running out as more and more users of electric energy move into the area. It is probable that no member of the Council is prepared to say that either of the sites under consid- erasion win prove suitable for de- velopment. But there is only one way to find out and the Council has wisely taken t.