PALMER ALASKA
Elsie Jeffers, Acting Edit Dr
Published every week at Palmer, Alaska for the Katanuska "Valley Earner's Cooperating
Association for-the purpose of wiving news of the Association's work, nroblems and
accor.plishraents» as well as news of general interest to the Valley,
_PUTSCHTPTTCP RAPE *1.75 rer yearlog a cony
IL2.EE BILL PASSED 3Y HOUSE
Legislation of much interest to Alaskans is the Lenke bill, passed unanimously by the
house and now sent to the Senate, This bill extends to veterans the opportunity to
secure larger homesteads in Alaska, and ms sponsored by Pm. Lenke, Perublioon from
Perth Dakota, The introduction of the amendment to the bill says:
"To provide f<0r tho settlement of certain parts of Alaska by war veterans, He it en
acted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled that the national interests requires tho settlement and develop
ment of Alaska in order to make ossible the full utilization of its resources and
to further the national security by providing the area a firm foundation of permanent
residents. The national interests also requires that land be made available to vet
erans rho desire to undertake the development the development of virgin territory in
order to secure land for themselves and their families and that such undertakings be
encouraged to an extent commensurate rith their value to the nation. Because of the
remoteness and climatic'conditions of Alaska, settlement there involves greater ex
penses, financial risks, and physical hardships than does settlement in other parts
of the United States. Large-scale settlement of the territory requires greater In
ducement to the pioneer settlement than exists at present. This Act is designed to
provide the necessary inducement in the form of enlarged homesteaders, while making
certain that there will be a minimum of government interference in the development
of the land."
A claim shall be not less than 520 acres and may be of a size up to 1920 acres. A
t irberlar.d claim recuires that no more than one-tenth of such timber'shall be cleared.
A homesteader must actually have lived upon the land for three years,'"provided, that
each day of active duty in the armed forces served by a veteran shall, up to and in
cluding tro years, be accepted in full satisfaction of the resident requirements for
such tro years. Any veteran otherwise eligible, rhq shall have been discharged on
account of rounds received or disability incurred in the line of duty, shall be cre
dited with tro years constructive service for purposes of this subsection."
Sor e objections have beer, raised to the bill by Alaskans. One Alaskan lumberman rep
resenting a lumber company at "rangell, stated in testimony -efore a House sub com
mittee ■considering homestead legislation that the proposed bill would turn over
85,000,000,000 board feet of timber to a veterans monoply.
He based his statement upon arguments that because of the Alaskan terrain and need
for smooth rater on which to form lumber rafts, homesteaders In cuiet coves could
control timber shipments.
"Fifty of ono hundred veterans',' he said, "can control all the tinier aldng the shore?
and force owners of timber array from the shores to nay them to cross their land."
Charles F. Brannon, Assistant Secret'ry of Agriculture and Robert K. Coop, of the
Inferior Department Land lananerent Bureau also onnosed the legislation. Brahnon
scid that if the timber areas of Southeast Alaska are turned over to veterans, con
fer, ion proposing to 'mild paper v.id ruin mills trill drop their plans because they
■cvld lack assurance of a continuous supply of timber under individual ownership.
-'eso mills mould furnish jobs for thousands of persons.
Coop said the Interior Department opposed the measure because of the acreage proposed
’ r to 1,920 acres- and urged that the present limit of 150 acres for each homestead
ho retained.
o Doily Alaska Fishing News recently printed a copy of the letter addressed to the
"resident of the Juneau Chamber of Comoroo by Rep. sh. Lamke in answer to certain
criticisms of the bill. The letter in part states:
era wondering how much influence has been used on your organization by the'pulp and
salmon trusts and others who would like to denude Alaska of its v'ealth - yes, enrich
a few and grab that which belongs to 140,000,0.00 people,
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