THE ALASKA FISHERMAN
Published the 15th of each month at Petersburg.
Alaska, by A. N. B. Publishing Co.
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Louis F. Paul - Editor and Manager
Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office
at Petersburg, Alaska.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $2.60 FOR ONE YEAR
OUR PLATFORM
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ALASKA FOR ALASKANS.
FULL TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
COMPETENT CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
ABOLISHMENT OF ALL TRAPS.
WILBUR THE DREAMER
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In his report as secretary of the interior—the
closest approach to literature, by the way, in the
Hoover administration’s dream book—Ray Lyman
Wilbur writes:
“We have set a definite goal for the Indian
service—that it shall work itself out of a job in
twenty-five years.”
Just a moment, Mr. Taxpayer! Don’t credit
yourself with any saving in 1956. Who ever heard
of a 'government, agency working itself out of a
job? When the Indian service runs out of flesh
and-blood Indians through their escape from de
pendency, its employes will be set to digging up
and repainting the kind that once stood in front
of cigar stores.
Probably the federal government already has
veterinaries and horseshoers working on the
wooden steeds that once advertised the town
saddler and harness maker.
The Greeks had a name for the last public
employee who worked himself out of a job. They
were the last people ever to have such a freak to
name.—Seattle Times.
_V ■ ... ....
HOSPITAL FOR ALASKA TUBERCULARS
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Dr. Fricks of the Public Health Service has an
nounced that the department is contemplating
construction of a hospital for Alaska tuberculars
probably in or near Port Townsend. The idea of
such a hospital is very worthy but the thought cf
any town in Washington being the home of such
an institution is repulsive to Alaskans-who must
go there.
It has been a demonstrated fact that Alas
kans do ,not get well by being taken from their
environment, in an effort to cure them of tuber
culosis. The climate is without doubt beneficial to
these people but the foods are different, the peo
ple who have charge of such institutions are with
out understanding or sympathy and the atmos
phere becomes charged with dissatisfaction. Un
der which conditions no patient can hope for a
cure.
There are towns in Alaska just as good, in
every way, as Port Townsend or any other coast
town could be. And then, Alaska for Alaskans
should be the dominant thought. Alaska’s insane
are sent to Portland, Oregon and every effort is
being made to have an institution in Alaska for
these unfortunates. There are not more worthy of
kindly consideration of the more fortunate than
those afflicted with tuberculosis. .__.y__
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IN DISGRACE
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There is considerable unrest in the towns of
the First Division. In the past years, the Republi -
cans—so-called—have been in office or control of
territorial affairs. As a matter of fact, the Demo
cratic politicians have held control with an iron
hand—through patronage which placed more De
mocrats in office than Republicans. Republican
politicians in office have catered to the wishes of
the “powers behind the throne” and have maoe
their party subservient to the commands of
Democratic rule.
There has been considerable dissatisfaction
with this state of affairs. It will be demonstrated
at the primary election. Heretofore it did not take
more than 375 votes to elect Democrats to any
major elective office. This year it will take con
siderable more than that.
The federal court crowd—Judge and District
Attorney and their following are in the saddle
and they are dominating the Republicans of the
First Division. The same Republicans who have
voted Republican in the primaries and Democratic
in the general elections. Other citizens of Alaska
by appointment will follow the lead of the leaders
of the various Bureaus. They will attempt to hoid
their power by trading their support of Senator
Anthony Dimond. There is a distinct split-up in
the Democratic ranks—and the split in the Re
publican ranks is even worse. We predict that the
primary election will be a dog fight—the dogs
getting licked.
SENATOR BENJAMIN
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Senator Charles Benjamin of Wrangell has
served for two terms on the Republican ticket as