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GOVERNMENTAL REOKGANIZATION
Alaska's governmental machinery, In basic design at least, belongs to on era
that Is past. Devised to serve frontier areas during a brief period of tutelage
prior to Statehood, the territorial scheme of governmental organization fulfilled
its purpose reasonably well. As a long-term arrangement for the governing of Alaska,
now and In the future, it Is not satisfactory. New functions and new responsibili
ties can no longer be placed on the obsolete machine In confidence that It will func
tion well.
The place of Alaska in the national union of states and territories and its
strategic and economic role lr. that union must be considered anew and wisely deter
mined. Decades of neglect, alternating with periodic feverish preparation., for dc -
fensc. In times of national danger, will not be conducive either to national socur. cy
or prosperity.
n. 01 major qutstions may, no»ever, ue sugg..buu. «>uai juipiw. a
the Alaska Organic Act and in the special statutes arc necessary to provid' a gooi
basic charter for democratic self-government In Alaska? V.hat changes are m c ssoi
to Insure that the people of Alaska will assume greater responsibility lor the fir -
anclal support and direction of local and Territorial government services? V.hai
are the major deficiencies in Territorial legislation and services? 7.'hat If prove- •
ments can be recommended for the Alaska system of lav. enforcement Should delegates
f Territories be granted limited voting powers In the Congress? What Is the 'lofi
al division of Federal and Territorial responsibility In matters of taxation? Bov
can the Territorial tux system be modernized and made to yield a revenue commensurate
with the real income-producing powers of the economy of the Territory? Whet stops
can be taken to improve coordination of Federal agencies operating In Alaska? Is
there a need for a regional development authority (public corporation with croud
powers on the ord^r of the Tennessee Valley authority) to assume leadership in the
development of the natural resources of the Territory?
In many respects Alaska Is a Federal province: the Governor Is a Fedei” 1
appointee, the law-enforcement and Judicial system Is administered by the United
States Department of Justice, part of the local taxes ara Imposed by Act of Congress
and collected by Federal officers, the fisheries and wildlife are under the juris
diction of Federal and quasl-Federal agencies, about 98 percent of the land Is In
Federal ownership, the national defense program now changing the economic lift of the
Territory In a radical way Is entirely In Federal control. This picture Is remarkably
different from the simple pattern of Federal activities that prevailed during terri
torial days In the States.
On the other hand, the Territory of Alaska Is In many respects treated rs a.
State and Is expected to assume responsibilities similar to those carried by States.
It is, for example, expected to maintain Its own system of elementary, secondary,
and higher education for the white population; to maintain n system of social secur
ity which will comply with standards laid down for States; to maintain certain tech
nical services in aid of mining and agriculture.
The foregoing picture Is recognized by almost everyone familiar with Alaska
affairs. The time clearly is ripe for a complete and thorough reexamination of gov
rnment and administration in the Territory. Effective vays should be found to
strengthen local Initiative and responsibility, to decentralize Federal ndminlstru- •
tlon and make It more responsive to local needs, and to provide better coordination
of Federal activities and of Federal with Territorial functions. .
Reference — •'Regional' Resources Development
Report for 1942*' ;