If you are interested in the nearly four years of progress by the
Democratic majority in the state of Alaska you will read this and
analyze these words.
There is no doubt the majority of people of Alaska were deeply
moved when statehood for Alaska was granted. In the first statehood
elections many who had a part in this great step dear to many Alaskans
ran for office. Some were successful and some who worked just as hard
for statehood were eliminated by the democratic process of elections.
At this point the great event of Statehood left some on the side lines
and it was then the battle lines were drawn.
My article is a story of treachery and the use of every method to
discredit the Democratic party now in power, although they are work
ing for the progress of Alaska and leaving their homes and businesses
to do so.
For many years in the past, attempts have been made to stop the
abuses of the “commissary” by base personnel. And to insist that
they charge a realistic price for their commodities at the base PX and
Commissary. Items were sold at a lower price than the merchants in
town could buy them wholesale for, as no freight and handling charges
were added to the price.
Most of the items sold by the merchants in town were sold at na
tionally advertised prices with the information supplied to me, mostly
by one merchant in Kodiak. I introduced House Joint Memorial 21.
The meat of this bill was that prices charged in the other 48 states were
based on a realistic cost figure. This was not so in Alaska and my bill
sought to correct this unjust practice. My thoughts on this were that
we are a capitalistic nation, supported by taxes, paid by the people and
we must resist all trends toward socialism.
When this bill mas made available in Kodiak, a hue and cry went
up and the Civil Service and military personnel showed up at the
Chamber of Commerce in mass. Now this is the treacherous part of it
all—the very people who supplied me with the facts to base my bill
on—those who pushed me way out in front—beat a hasty retreat. In
fact, one was part of the unanimous vote calling me to task for being
author of the bill. Who was he? A Republican, of course.
For many years we have been trying to pay our teachers a more
just salary to meet the high living cost in Alaska and to attract better
qualified teachers. Also, as we all agree, the future of our country rests
in the young people of our nation.
We Democrats knew that, and knew that we must act and act with*
out delay.
The Democrats introduced five new revenue raising tax measure
to produce about $3% millions a year. We were soundly cussed and
discussed for not raising the teachers pay and for raising taxes. With
these new tax measures available, we then raised the teachers’ pay.
Here is the exasperating part of the situation: Kodiak is a 75 per
cent, 25 per cent school, and this means that 75 per cent of the teachers’
pay is paid by the state, while 25 per cent comes from the local school
district. Kodiak, on top of this, has supplemented their teachers pay
with $700. Several towns in Alaska pay a higher supplement even
though their economy is not as sound as Kodiak’s.
One teacher on the Base made several public remarks—that the
raise was so small that they might as well forget it. On hearing these
remarks, I looked up Mr. Hoover’s pay scale. To my amazement his
raise came to $2,200 a year. I was further concerned that here was a
man teaching our children who hadn’t even read the pay raise bill, but
still condemned it as a Republican. I called him on the phone and
charged him with partisan politics and I told him what his pay raise
was. He admitted he was embarrassed.
This is the treacherous part of it all. We were damned for the
tax raises; criticized for not raising teachers’ pay and then the board,
dominated by a Republican, didn’t pass the full raise on to the teachers.
They cut the $700 suplement to $600 and used this to match the state
raise. I call it downright disgusting.
The Republicans have been advocating a Section 26 school board
for years. Their claim is that it will keep politics out of the school
system. Dr. A. H. Johnson, a very strong advocate of the Section 26
school board and one who has, on occasions, publicly attacked my stand
on this issue, ran for Senator from this area. Letters were sent to
many people in this area asking for campaign contributions. Although
Dr. Johnson, who was advertised as a statesman—and not a politician—
he did ask for campaign contributions. Among those asked were teach
ers who did contribute. I ask isn’t this putting the school system into
politics? Especially with Dr. Johnson the president of the school board.
A similar case would be myself asking the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game employes in the local area for campaign contributions.
Can the people afford to cast aside the men who for years served
in thfe Territorial Legislature, at the Constitutional Convention or led
our fight for statehood? I say no.
One man running for office has only lived in Alaska two years,
and he is bragging to the skies what he can do for Alaska. How can
he know so much about Alaska in such a short time?
m
In conclusion, fellow voters, analyze who has made our healthy
economy possible? I say the crab industry; the elimination of traps
which has made our salmon harvest the highest in the history of Kodiak
and the DEMOCRATS.
There is an old saying in the legislature of the people who criti
cize and then holler when they likewise are criticized: “If you can’t stand
the heat—stay out of the kitchen.” (I hope that this article will lure
some of you Republicans into the kitchen.)
Vote for the Democratic candidate on the ballot as they represent
proven progress and our future progress will be assured.
REP. PETER M. DEVEAU