The Nome Nugget

The reaction of local business people is plainly expressed in the following statements of stunned surprise at the attempt to cast off the Second Division from the Alaska Statehood bill.

It was gratifying to see that although Alaska may be divided on many issues, Anchorage leaders in both political parties responded unanimously and immediately in opposition to such an unfair division.

James A. von der Heydt, former district attorney of the Second Division and now candidate for territorial senator, has this to say:

"Governor B. Frank Heintzleman's suspiciously tardy proposal that the Second Division be cut off from the rest of the territory prior to granting statehood to the remaining three divisions is a masterpiece of political whitewash.

"The opponents of Alaskan statehood must be getting desperate to mislead our governor into such a statement at this stage of the game.

"Alaska's destiny is statehood—statehood for ALL Alaska. To deny the people of the Second Division, the most potentially rich of all the divisions, the rights and benefits of statehood, shows a clear lack of foresight, is a flagrant injustice, and is foreign to the principles of our democracy."

Larry Galvin, past president of the N.W.A. Chamber of Commerce and prominent business man:

"I resent any idea of separation. What is good enough for the majority of Alaskans should be good enough for all Alaskans."

Mike Walsh, an Alaskan for 50 years, prominent mining man and regent of the University of Alaska:

"Sink or swim, Northwest Alaska is an integral part of the territory. Statehood should be for all or none. I don't want to live in a crown colony."

Steve Andersen, Mayor of Nome:

"We are part of the Territory of Alaska and should be included in any legislation which affects the territory as a whole."

Bob Curtiss, Nome manager of Alaska Airlines:

"It appears that the Honorable Governor does not clearly see the relationship that different parts of the territory play together as a whole. Seventy-five percent of the minerals and other natural resources are in this area which he doesn't consider important or productive. We are amazed at the inaptitude shown by these politicians."

Edith Bullock, Kotzebue businesswoman and Second Division representative in the territorial legislature:

"This is a subject that has been kicked around for some time. It is apparent the governor wants to get the public's reaction. He's getting it!"

Carrie M. McLain, Nome City Clerk and Democratic candidate for the territorial legislature:

"The Second Division is the 'gateway' for the rest of Alaska, to Siberia and Russia. What would an alienation of the Second Division from the other three divisions result in? What would this lack of a unified Alaska do to us, politically and economically?"

George Goshaw: "Incredible!"

Boyd Harwood:

"The partition of Alaska would cause only confusion on the statehood bill for both Alaska and Hawaii. I believe that the bills should be separate."

Dewey Goodrich: "As a citizen I am against partition, as it would be many years before we would be able to become a state in our own right."