Or* Sari Graves
Sec. 34*66 F.L. and R.
U.S. POSTAGE
\i PAID
PALMER, ALASKA
Permit No. 3
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Vo 1. llj._Palmer, Alaska _May l8, 1951_No. 20
CIRCUIT COURT UPHOLDS IPX
Word that the Ninth Circuit Court
in San Francisco has uphold tho
Territorial Property Tax, reversing
the decision of Judge Harry Pratt,
makes clear beyond argument that
the Territory is on a sound finan
cial basis, that it now has a com
prehensive, while vholly moderate
tax structure, and that after years
of obstruction and procrastination,
Alaska's financial house is now in
good order.
Tho history of tho litigation con
corning tho tax measures passed by
tho I9I4.9 Legislature is now as
follows:
The net income tax was upheld in
its entirety by the District Court
qt Juneau and, on appeal, by the
Circuit Court.
The G-pneral Property Tax y/as up
held on appeal to the Circuit Court.
The graduated tax;on fish traps
was uphold although the tax on trap
caught fish in excess of fifteen
thousand was held regulatory and
hence contrary to the organic act.
The Territory prevailed in the
District Court in two actions chall
enging the non-resident license tax
on fishernen, Decision of the Cir
cuit Court is now boing -awaited on
each.
The raw fish tax was not challeng
ed*
This is an excellent record,
showing that the tax measures were
v/ell conceived and well drawn, and
that progressive and enlightened
policies have been established for
the Territory of Alaska. The long
enduring practice of taking it all
and loaving nothing for Alaska has
come to an end.
Needless to say, all tax measures
are subject to revision and improve
ment as experience with their ad
ministration reveals flav/s and sugg
ests methods of removing them. It
might be pointed out that the Fed
eral income tax passed way back in
1913 was, for over a quarter of a
century, found to contain loopholes
continued on page 8
Robert Beechever, Juneau attorney
has been appointed by Governor E.
Gruening to the Alaska- Development
Board, it was announced today by
tho Governor’s office. As a member
at-largc, Mr. Boechevcr will re
place the- Governor on the Board.
Mr. Beechever has resided in Jun
eau since January of 19^6, when he
was appointed Assistant United At
torney for the First Division. He
is a. graduate of Cornell Lav/ School
and a veteran of World War 11.
The Alaska Development Board was
one of the several Territorial
boards and commissions from which
the Governor was removed, at his
request, by tho action of the 20th
Legislature. Since there v/as no
emergency clause in the act, it
will not take-effect until May 30.
The Boa.rd will moot at the end of
the month in Juneau for a session
of several days. Ono of tho act
ions of the nowly constituted
Board will bo the election of a
Chairman to sue coed tho Governor.
In addition to the new member-at
large, tho members from the four
judicial divisions are Antonio Pol
et of Nome, Fred Axford of Anchor
age , Herb Hilscher of Fairbanks,
and until his death, Friday, J.A.
■Talbot of Ketchikan.
Mr. Boechover is a member of the
firm of Faulkner, Banficld and Bco
chcvor. He has been active in
civic affairs and is a post pres
ident of the Juneau Chamber of
Commerce.
POPPY DAY MAY 26
At this moment, an American sol
dier is risking life and limb in
Korea that you may have security
; at home. Honor his fallen com
rades together with our World War
dead by wearing an Amoricon Legion
Auxiliary poppy on Poppy Day, May
26th., Made by disabled veterans,
these memorial poppies, pinned to
your lapel, arc tho most express
ive thanks you can give on this
day.