The Nome Nugget

Secretary Krug Will Support Alaska Statehood

Juneau, Alaska, October 17, 1946

Honorable Julius A. Krug
Secretary of Interior
Washington, D. C.

Recent press story from Seattle represents you favor statehood for Alaska with mental reservation as to Federal Government divesting itself of control over salmon fisheries until you get report from Congressman Jackson's sub-committee on fisheries.

Can understand your giving that phase of salmon industry with headquarters in Puget Sound area assurance careful consideration of its qualms, but point out that Jackson is studying advisability of extending Alaska said item of home rule on a piecemeal basis while Alaska is still a Territory and is not seeking ways of curtailing usual sovereign powers in a grant of statehood. Alaska has long had the right to tax the salmon industry and has been more than fair and would retain this power under statehood. Alaskans are conservation conscious regarding great salmon resource and in view of recently diminishing supply under Federal control causing great concern would establish control commission every bit as responsible as a Federal agency, if not more so.

In behalf of the people of Alaska, as distinguished from corporate operators and unions with outside headquarters, I urge that your valued support of Alaska Statehood be full fledged.

RALPH J. RIVERS.
Attorney General of Alaska.

JUNEAU, Oct. 22

Governor Gruening has received the following telegram from Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug:

"Alaska is to be congratulated on its decisive expression through popular ballot of a desire to obtain self government. Please extend to the people my earnest wish that Alaska obtain statehood soon. I will lend every possible support in attaining that goal."