The Nome Nugget

Course of Alaska-Hawaii Statehood Bills Charted At White House Today

WASHINGTON, (A) - The administration's course on legislation to bring Alaska and Hawaii into the Union may be charted at a White House conference this afternoon.

The subject is one of several expected to be discussed when two Nebraska Republicans, Sen. Butler and Rep. Miller, and other Congressional leaders meet with President Eisenhower.

Butler and Miller are chairmen of the Senate and House Interior Affairs Committees.

Prior to the White House meeting, Butler told a reporter the question of statehood undoubtedly would arise but that the discussion was expected to cover all major legislation before the committees which would be acted upon by Congress.

The Hawaii and Alaska statehood bills were stalemated in the Senate committee early this year when a majority voted to combine the two and hold further hearings.

The hearings have been held during the Congressional recess.

Butler, who opposed granting statehood to Alaska in the form proposed in pending legislation, said recently he believes a majority of the committee now is ready to separate the two bills and send the Hawaiian measure to the Senate for action.

He said he also planned to "take up" the Alaska legislation with a view to reporting it out but would not predict the result.

Statehood bills for both territories have been approved by the House committee.