The Nome Nugget

House Passes Bill Providing For Popular Election Major Political Party Committeemen In Alaska

JUNEAU, (AP)—A bill for popular election of major political party committeemen sailed quickly Monday through the House, where it often has run onto the rocks of party politics in the past.

It went through so smoothly on a 21-2 vote that no one even took time to label it an "anti-White" bill, as legislators supporting reasonable facsimiles of it in past sessions of, the Alaska legislature have done.

The measure aims at undermining the strong influence of Albert White of Juneau, who long has been a key figure in Republican party machinery while carrying the title of general counsel of the Central Committee.

House Republicans held a caucus beforehand Monday, then barreled the bill through the second and third readings within an hour under suspension of the rules.

The bill was introduced by Miss Dorothy Prior, Anchorage Republican, and it now goes to the Senate.

It provides for election of precinct and national committeemen and committeewomen. Voting on them on separate ballots would be restricted to voters declaring their party affiliation.

Votes against the bill Monday were cast by Rep. Wendell Kay, Anchorage Democrat, and Rep. Richard Greuel, Fairbanks Democrat.

Greuel said he favored the bill but voted against it in protest against the rush with which it was put through. Kay argued that it should only provide for election of precinct committeemen, but after the party then organized on a popular basis the party organization should choose the top bracket national committeeman and committeewoman.

Rep. Julian Hurley, Fairbanks Republican, argued that Kay's proposal would put selection of the top rank party figures "back to the old gag rule system behind closed doors." He contended that Alaska had an open election process until the Democrats came into power.

Rep. Waino Hendrickson, Juneau Republican, after voting with the majority, admonished the House that he hoped there would not be such a rush in the future on such legislation.

While the House pushed thru the anti - White bill, the intra-party friction over the Republican Central Committee's endorsement of Robert Reeve for Alaska governor continued to simmer.

Reeve. who cast a proxy vote at the committee session, issued a statement Monday at Anchorage.

It said:

"After a vote of 9-5 by the Central Committee. I refused to accept the nomination unless I was accorded the support of the dissenting five.

Mrs. Edith Bullock, Jack Sherman and Mike Stepovich then proferred me their support if I were to accept the nomination. It was upon this condition I accepted.

"I did not seek the nomination. and further, I am a no deal, I repeat, a no deal man and I am under obligation to no one if designated governor.

"I will be guided strictly by the will of the Legislature, the will of the people and the will of the Central Committee."