THE FRONTIERSMAN
Sutored as second class matter on Oct. 21, 1947, at the post office u‘
Palmer, Alaska, under the Act of March 3, 1879. _
A. J. DeJulio _— Owner-Manager
Editor _Virginia Gallant
.Subscription Rates 50c a month. $5 a vear In Valley Area
Mailed to all points in Alaska and the United States
$6 per year
Caribou Creek
Palmer* Alaska
May 2, 1955
’The Frontiersman
Palmer, Alaska
To the Editor:
Distrust of the Territorial Leg
islature is strong. It is difficult
to find anyone who thinks he is
properly represented at Juneau.
The prevailing reaction is to
want to curb the legislature by
keeping Alaska under federal
control.
Though there is good reason
for dissatisfaction, a sweeping in
4lictment of all Alaska politicians
would be unjust. The perform
ance of the Territorial Legisla
ture under limitations of the Or
ganic Act would not necessarily
be the same in a better frame
work.
We belittle ourselves and Alas
ka if we assume we cannot pro
duce good leadership. It would
be a mistake to carry anger and
cynicism into the Constitutional
Convention at Fairbanks next
November.
Under the democratic form of
government, the legislature is de
signed to be the particular, direct
instrument of the people. It
should be our safeguard against
untra-bureaucracy. If the consti
tution-makers at Fairbanks
should cripple the legislative
branch, it is the people who
would be handicapped.
A constitution is intended to
set up principles and form. Con
stitution-makers should not write
legislation, in an attempt to im
pose their will on the future. It
is not their place to control fu
ture legislatures.
The main job of keeping legis
lators in line belongs to the
people who elect them. This is
■bard to do under the present set
alp in Alaska. It could be done
under referendum and initiative,
in which the people vote directly
on issues.
Under referendum, a small
minority in the legislature may
call for popular vote on any is
sue; initiative provides that the
call may come from the people
if the legislature neglect to act.
One' suggested form of referen
dum would provide for an elec
tion after each session of the
legislature on all bills set aside
for popular vote.
This idea is growing in Alas
ka and is likely to play an im
portant part in the convention at
Fairbanks. Some people have <
asked if this kind of referendum
and initiative could be put into
effect in Alaska without state
hood.
Probably not, under the Organ
ic Act. I don’t know what would
be involved. It would be interest
ing to hear from others on the
whole subject of making legis
latures more responsible to the
voters.
Sincerely,
Ben Hitchcock
Caribou Creek, Palmer
April 8, 1955
Malanuska Valley Fair
The Fair Board is faced with
building problems to meet with
the growing needs of space for
exhibits of our patrons.
There is a large warehouse
building at Elmendorf Field, a 60
by 20-foot building of very sturdy
construction ,to be replaced by
permanent concrete and steel
building. This is offered to the
Matanuska Valley Fair at a token
price of $1.00—“Conditions”—to
be removed—and erected on fair
grounds, and be subject to the
need of Civil Defense or Nation
al Defense use in time of war.
Some aid in work involved can
come from Army forces and use
of crane work and power equip
ment.
This building would house all
of our fair and give shelter space
for athletic sports all year round
and pay for removal and erection
cost in five to ten years. How
about it? Are Palmer folks ready
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A A A A vr A A A
FOR MOTHER
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NOT A BILL OF GOODS
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Well, sir, what you’re asking for is Service ... and this b
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We give your car every possible service—the kind of atten
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If you want to get the most out of your motoring for the
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MOTOR-IN SERVICE
We lake better care of your car
DISTRICT ENGINEERS
OBSERVE
9TH ANNIVERSARY
May 1st is the ninth anniver
•’ry of the establishment of the
U-ska District, Corps of Engin
-• s, U. S. Army, in Alaska,
idquarters are located at An
>rage with the field of opera
nd in the entire mainland of
e Territory.
n that nine years the Alaska
>trict Corps of Engineer in an !
ensive and continuous military 1
.'erne construction program has !
ipervised the building of bases
the U. S. Air Force and Army j
lich stretch from the souther- j
st tip of the peninsula to the
northern outposts, and from
he jagged coastline to the interi
or borders.
Some 855,712 infants were born
ast year under 84 Blue Cross
Ians’ maternity benefits.
j support such an undertaking?
made a trip to Elmendorf to see
he building. It’s big! You should
ee it.
Agricultural and Industrial
Fair is a growing institution and
becoming big business.
Come to the next business
meeting May 13. Some important
changes are to be made in our
Constitution and By-laws.
Sincerely yours,
M. D. SNODGRASS
MOTHER’S DAY 1355
Miss Mary Cowles Sasseen, a
Kentucky schoolteacher, is giv
en credit by many authorities
for having originated Mother’s
Day in 1907.
It is generally accepted that
Miss Sasseen made little attempt
to promote national observance
of the day and that Miss Anna M.
Jarvis did much to put the idea
over in the United States.
Miss Jarvis’ mother died in
1905, and Miss Jarvis arranged
to have the pastor of Andrews
Methodist Church, at Grafton,
West Virginia—the home town
of her mother—conduct a service
on May 12, 1907, dedicated to all
mothers in Taylor County.
The next year, 1903, the service
was repeated and a similiar one
was held in Philadelphia, and,
from then on, the custom began
to grow. Finally, in 1914, Con
gress specified the second Sun
day in May as Mother’s Day.
Florists took quick advantage
of the opportunity to make it a
business event and began the
sale of carnations, which had
been first distinguished in Tay
lor County, West Virginia, on
Mother’s Day. Miss Jarvis broke
with the florists, outraged at the
idea that business would be con
nected with Mother’s Day and de
nounced them. She proposed the
wearing of a button, instead.
Mother’s Day is, of course,
commercialized, as is Christmas
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and most of our holidays. We
regret this and think it is a poor
practice.
Nevertheless, we welcome the
observance of Mother’s Day, once
a year, and think that those for
tunate enough to have a mother
living, and a Christian, loving
mother, have the finest blessing
there is.
In observing the day this year,
we urge readers to remember
that expensive gifts, or even
bought flowers, are not necessary.
The thought is what counts, and
a flower picked from one’s own
yard, or elsewhere, and a gift
made in one’s own house, should
PLAN CIVIL DEFENSE
STAFF MEETING MAY «
Alfred V. Hagen, area director,
announced this week there will
be a staff meeting of the Greater
Palmer Civil Defense district on
Friday afternoon, May 6 at 4:941
in the Theatre building basement.
Area directors of Palmer, Wa*il
la, Sutton and the Butte will al*o
attend the meeting.
be appreciated as much or mors
as any other. Remembrance i« *
the important theme and we hope
no worthy mother is forgotten
by her children on Mother’s Day,
1955.
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PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER
Your answer depends on what you’re adding. Two
apples plus two apples always equal four apples. But two
dollars plus two dollars soon become MORE than four dollars
when you put them in your savings account. The difference
(in your favor) is the interest that is added, as earned, to your
original deposit, and compounded regularly. This accumulat
ing interest, combined with your own systematic savings will
steadily add up to that new home, that college education for
your children ... or whatever else your dreams are made of.
Start your savings program next payday!
MATANUSKA VALLEY BANK
Palmer, Alaska
Open Thursday Evenings 6 — 8 P.M. — Daily 10 A.M.—3 P.M.
'd
NOTICE to
COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN
Amendment to the Act providing for the Care of Sick and Disabled Fishermen,—
Chapter 99, SLA 1955
"Sec. 4. There is hereby created a fund, designated as the "Fishermen's Fund" to be
administered by the Commissioner of Labor under the direction of the Board for the Care of
Sick and Disabled Fishermen, with the Territorial Treasurer as custodian of the Fund. The
Fund shall be composed of 60% of the money hereafter derived by the Territory from all
commercial fishermen's licenses, including clam diggers' licenses, and money appropriated
to carry out the purposes of this Act, all of which money shall be covered into the Fund.
Payments from the Fund for expenses and other disbursements necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Act shall be made upon vouchers approved by the administrative officer of
the Board. Said fund shall be continuous until otherwise provided by law.
"Sec. 5. Each fisherman qualified under this Act shall, upon his becoming disabled
as hereinafter specified, be entitled to receive benefits as follows: Immediately after he
sustains any injury or disability arising out of any accident directly connected with his
operations as a commercial fisherman either ashore in Alaska or in the Territorial waters
of Alaska, or suffers a disease which is occupational with repect to his work as a fisherman,
such fisherman shall be entitled to emergency treatment, transportation to the nearest
place where approved medical facilities are available, medical care and hospitalization.
"For the purpose of this Act the following diseases are considered to be occupational
with respect to fishermen; hernia; varicose veins of the legs, but excluding all other cardio
vascular diseases; the respiratory diseases bronchitis, pleurisy and pneumonia caused by
or aggravated by the fishing endeavor, but excluding the common cold and influenza;
rheumatism, arthritis and those musculo-skeletal diseases (such as bursitis, traumatic
sciatica, and tenosynovitis) directly caused by or aggravated by the fishing' endeavor.
Diseases not common to both sexes, veneral disase, and any condition arising out of an at
tempt to injure himself or another are excluded from coverage under this Act.
"He shall also be entitled to such assistance after discharge from the hospital during
period of convalescense as the Board may allow in consideration of the condition of the
Fund."
These additional benefits are financed by the $5 increase in the fee for Commercial
Fishermen's Licenses, Chapter 99, SLA 1955.
Further information concerning the administration of this law may be obtained by
writing '
HENRY A. BENSON
. Commissioner of Labor
Chairman, Fisherman’s Fund
Juneau
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