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Editorial
May 7, 1956
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
The Washington Post editorial criticizes the U.S. House for excluding Alaska from federal highway aid in a recent bill, despite Alaskans paying gasoline taxes to fund roads elsewhere. Delegate E.L. Bartlett condemns the discrimination, attributing it to Interior Department control and congressional indifference. It urges the Senate to amend the bill for fairness, noting Alaska's vast size but limited roads.
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Alaska Left Out
(The Washington Post)
It must seem a bitter irony to Alaskans that only a few days after adopting a widely praised state constitution, their territory was again reminded of its semi-colonial status. In the highway bill passed recently by the House, Hawaii is slated for federal road assistance. So are Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and, of course, all 48 states. But Alaska, as in the past, was denied highway benefits. Alaska was not, however, exempted from taxation for roads--indeed, Alaskans estimate they will pay $700,000 next year in additional gasoline taxes to support highway construction elsewhere.
Quite rightly the Alaskan delegate to Congress, E. L. Bartlett, scolded the House for its discrimination. Although Alaska is about one-fifth the size of all 48 states combined, its highway mileage is less than the 4,069 miles in Rhode Island. Interior Department insistence on keeping Alaska as a sort of fiefdom, and congressional indifference to its need for an expanding highway system, explain the present plight. Surely Mr. Bartlett has some justification for asking whether his territory is part of the Union or a "distant, unwanted and uncared for colony."
The existence of immense tracts of federally owned land in Alaska makes the distribution of federal aid funds a different problem from that in any of the other entities covered by the highway bill. But even if Congress is not ready to tackle the larger problem of statehood, surely there is a way in which some of Alaska's own tax contributions can be used to finance more road construction and maintenance in the northern territory.
There is still time for the Senate to amend the highway bill to give Alaska a fair break.
(The Washington Post)
It must seem a bitter irony to Alaskans that only a few days after adopting a widely praised state constitution, their territory was again reminded of its semi-colonial status. In the highway bill passed recently by the House, Hawaii is slated for federal road assistance. So are Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and, of course, all 48 states. But Alaska, as in the past, was denied highway benefits. Alaska was not, however, exempted from taxation for roads--indeed, Alaskans estimate they will pay $700,000 next year in additional gasoline taxes to support highway construction elsewhere.
Quite rightly the Alaskan delegate to Congress, E. L. Bartlett, scolded the House for its discrimination. Although Alaska is about one-fifth the size of all 48 states combined, its highway mileage is less than the 4,069 miles in Rhode Island. Interior Department insistence on keeping Alaska as a sort of fiefdom, and congressional indifference to its need for an expanding highway system, explain the present plight. Surely Mr. Bartlett has some justification for asking whether his territory is part of the Union or a "distant, unwanted and uncared for colony."
The existence of immense tracts of federally owned land in Alaska makes the distribution of federal aid funds a different problem from that in any of the other entities covered by the highway bill. But even if Congress is not ready to tackle the larger problem of statehood, surely there is a way in which some of Alaska's own tax contributions can be used to finance more road construction and maintenance in the northern territory.
There is still time for the Senate to amend the highway bill to give Alaska a fair break.
What sub-type of article is it?
Infrastructure
Economic Policy
Imperialism
What keywords are associated?
Alaska Highways
Federal Aid
Taxation Discrimination
Semi Colonial Status
Road Construction
Statehood
What entities or persons were involved?
E. L. Bartlett
House Of Congress
Senate
Interior Department
Alaska
Hawaii
Puerto Rico
District Of Columbia
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Exclusion Of Alaska From Federal Highway Aid
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Discrimination Against Alaska, Advocating For Fair Federal Assistance
Key Figures
E. L. Bartlett
House Of Congress
Senate
Interior Department
Alaska
Hawaii
Puerto Rico
District Of Columbia
Key Arguments
Alaska Denied Highway Benefits Despite Contributing Gasoline Taxes
Discrimination Highlights Semi Colonial Status Of Alaska
Federal Land Ownership Complicates Aid Distribution
Congressional Indifference Ignores Alaska's Need For Expanding Highways
Senate Should Amend Bill To Allow Alaska's Taxes To Fund Local Roads