The frontiersman. [volume] (Palmer, Alaska) 1952-2005, 1957-01-31
WASHINGTON
NEWSLETTER

u
1858 fiscal year, which was SUBJ
mitted to Congress this week, ear
marks $19,379,OO for federal ac-
tivities In Alaska. The figure Is
exclusive of military construction
funds to be requested later IN
the year and does not include q
breakdown of Alaska's share OF
other departmental activities
which will be reported III week
or two.
The SIG nillion-plus includes
$4,234,OOO for river and harbor
construction; So, los, 900 for health
grants to the Territory, includ-
inc ST. million to Alaska to pay
for cost Of caring for the mental
ly ill; So, 700, 900 for operation and
maintenance of the Alaska Com
munication System; So million
for the Alaska Public Works Pro-
gram.
In addition to the ST million re-
quested for the Territory for the
care and treatment Of Alaska's
mentally ill, the Presidents bud
get message stated that a supple
ment appropriation Of $5OO,OOO
would be sought for planning OF
mental health facilities under the
Alaska Mental Health Act enact
ed in the oath Congress turning
over to the Territory the respon-
sibility for caring for Alaska's
mentally Ill previously under the
jurisdiction of the Interior De-
partment through contract with
Morningside Sanatorium In Port
land, Oregon.
With reference to that law, it
is to be noted that Congressman
Thomas p. O'Neill, Jr., of Massa-
chusetts has this week, by request,
introduced a bill in the House to
repeal the Alaska Mental Health
Act.
The operation, maintenance
and improvement expenses of
The Alaska Railroad come from
a revolving fund and SO the bud
get contains no appropriations for
these functions. However, state
ment contained in the budget re-
veals that in the 1858 fiscal year
the railroad expects to have ST.
100000 more income than expen-
ses, as compared with the $780,
900 in income revenue over ex-
penses expected for the 1857 fis-
cal year which ends June 30. The
difference has been attributed
largely to increase of contribu-
tons to the Civil Service retire
ment fund and loss of traffic re-
venue to the military petroleum
pipeline which runs from Haines
to Fairbanks.
Statehood
The Alaska Tennessee Plan
Senator'S elect, the Representa-
tive-elect and Delegate Bartlett
expressed encouragement this
week following President Eisen-
hower's endorsement of Alaska
statehood in the budget message
but all stated their hope that
the endorsement made subject
to area limitations and other safe
guards for the conduct of defense
activities SO vitality necessary to
our national security" does not
actually mean partition Of Alas
ka into state and territory.
Delegate Bartlett in expressing
his belief that Nov, if the ad-
ministration will vigorously seek
to bring about enactment of
bill for Alaska, the 85th Congress
may we'll be the one which will
see victory come after the long
struggle" poined out that this is
the first time the President since
assuming office has definitely re-
commended Alaska statehood.
There was no mention of Alaska
statehood in the Presidents 1853
and 1854 State of the Union mes
sages, while endorsement was
given to Hawaii statehood. In
1855, the President stated, "As
the complex problems of Alaska
are resolved, that Territory should
expect to achieve statehood"
Last year the message stated, Sin
harmony with the provisions I
last year communicated to the
Senate and House Committees on
Interior and Insular Affairs, I
trust that progress towards state
hood for Alaska can be made at
this session. W
$50" Delegate Bartlett stated,
lit is highly encouraging that the
President has now and for the
first time definitely recommend
ed Alaska statehood. It may be
that the administration has not
reached definitvie conclusions re-
garding area limitations and
other safeguards trust that