TAU~EP>, ALASKA Elsie 1C. Jeffers, Acting Editor
Published every week at Palmer, Alaska for the llatanuska Valley Farmer's ooperating
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SPEECH CREATES CONTROVERSY
Tho fallowing speech delivered in the House of Representatives on May 21 by Rep
resentative Lawrence Smith has since been tho sxibject of much debate:
Hr. Speaker, in our very sincere desire to help all the world, by the givin ofl'our
resources, we must never forget that wo must remain strong at home, politically, econ
omically, and militarily. Outstanding civilian statesmen, and there are many, say
that the time has come for us to take account of our own resources'before it is too
late. The Godless Communist element at homo and abroad, of course, want us to be
come weak wo their task of taking over will be that much easier. It would therefore
seem clear that our primary resnonsibility is to make ourselves secure from attacks
without and within, Ehis is necessarily so because we'live in a world of power, with
two ideologies seeking control. I wish it were not so, buy it is and we must face t' e
future with realism.
"Hr. Speaker, if we are realists in the matter of hemispheric defense, then we must
rivet our attention on the state of'our defenses in the Panama Canal Zone and In
Alaska to avoid attack from without. There can be no denying that the Communists have
alerted both areas. Let us not Bo fooled by the campaign to stop communism in Greece
and Turkey and close our eyes to it right hero in this hemisphere.
"A very timely article by .Tim Lucas in the Washington Daily News for May 19, bearin',
tie headline1'Are Communists Monkeying Around with Panama Canal?" directs attention t
the necessity for action in that vital spot.
"It appear?, Hr, Speaker, that a Senate subcomr.ittee is investigating charges that
the CIO Public Workers of -America in the Canal Zone are led by Communists. A read
ing of the article by Hr. Lucas seems to leave but little doubt that the Communists
arc. v-reparing to take over in that area at the proper time. This is indeed a call to
action; re are on notice; Cur national security must be assured by proper action
of our military services, not alone in Turkey and Greece but here at Home. There
must be no Pearl Harbor in the Panama Canal “one or in Alaska,
"Hr. Speaker, re consider nor the Alaskan zone. It was ood news to learn from a
,"ar Department release that a big bomber base is to bo constructed in Alaska at a
cost in excess of eight millions of dollars. The program involves the building of
a nev; runway, a huge hangar, anc other str'.tegic facilities. This is surely on a
meager start.
"It is common knowledge, Hr. Speaker, that Hussia has its eyes on Alaska. Reports
were circulated a short time ago that it was prepared to repudiate the sale of that
territory to this country. Only a few months ago a returned Army officer told me
about Russian military activities on the Kamchatka peninsula only 500 miles from
At-tu. Kis statement was later confirmed by Hr. Lucas of Scrip ."-Howard, who report
ed air fields arc under construction, warehouses and barracks have been built, reads
have been improved, and waterways are being dredged. There is, in addition, smplp
evidence of increased Russian air activity over Alaska, and that’s not "just for fun".
If we arc not careful a Pearl Harbor is a possibility hero. We must keep in Hind th t
in this air age this .Alaskan territory is of great strategic value. It is rich in
minerals and oils and in add iton nay some day be the center of commercial air routes
ever the top of the world.
Hr, Speaker, I do not pose as a military expert. Common sense would seen to indicate
Mat a job of first importance must be tackled without delay. The military experts
rust of necessity be called in to map out a plan of defense for -A-lacka. “rith due ro
rvcct t2 theri I venture to suggest a modest plan of action:
"K ^hc immediate recruitment of Military personnel.
"2. The promotion of a campaign to induce civilians to migrate to Alaska in ardor
to devclon its natural resources.
"5. The improvement of r.il and truck facilities to the area. This means the
construction of t^o or three herd-surfaced roads and the maintenance of a mod
ern railroad.
(continued on page 11)