The Nome nugget., 1958-08-18
Statehood, A Non Partisan Issue
Contributed by M. J. Walsh)

The cause of Alaska statehood is not and should not be considered political issue
 It is true that both major political parties have endorsed statehood for Alaska both on Territorial and National level not as partisan issue but simply matter of justice and in accordance with American principles of democracy The final vote in the United States Senate on the Alaska Statehood Bi recently enacted GA for and 20 against, with B Republicans and 31 Democrats voting for the bill.
 The advantages and benefits which statehood will bring to the people of Alaska many and varied History has proven this by example of the 35 terri tories each of which progressed and prospered after admission to the Union with the 13 original States It is true that in each case there were norites who were opposed to change in the status quo and the stunning of new responsibilities However, not one state has expressed desire to return to terri torial status. Neither will the people of Alaska.
 Already, since the Alaska Statehood Bill passed Congress- great interest is manifested by prospective investors Our undeveloped resources are already claiming the attention of geologsts and other experts who arriving daily to investigate the possibilities which lie latent throughout the Territory. When Alaska is actually admitted to the Union as sov- ereign state and state government set up, develop
 ent of these resources will has happened in all the other states be accelerated great extent Pop ulation will increase; new industries will follow and stable economy will be the result
 Northwestern Alaska, the economy of which has been dependent in large measure the production of gold has in recent years suffered seriously due to rising costs of production The price of gold begged at S35OO per in 1854 remains the today, while the cost of operations has increased than 100 per cent resulting in the ruin of great industry.
 There is concerted move foot at this time in the United States to halt withdrawals from gold reserves and incentive to the gold mining indus try it is proposed to raise the price of gold from $3500 to $70.00 per fine Senators and mem bers of Congress from the states of California, Ne vada Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and other states taking leading part in this movement, which is now gaining momentum.
 Alaska, with two voting senators and one voting representative in the National Congress could and would contribute considerably to the strength of this movement which, if successful would revitalize the economy of this section of Alaska and usher in wave of prosperity which would include exploration and development of other lines of endeavor in this most highly mineralized section of the continent.
 Should the people of Alaska reject statehood at the forthcoming primary election it would have dis astrous effects would undo the efforts put forth by representatives to Congress over the years; would belle demands for self-government over whelmngly expressed by people, it would alienate our friends in the National Congress who so nobly supported our cause; we would plead in vain for as- sistance to develop resources; we would lose rights to participate in appropriations for roads and other federal assistance accorded the other states of the Union In sense would be relegated to political oblivion from which we would not recover in lifetime
 Our delegate to Congress and his associate rep