Annual Report of

the Governor of Alaska

ERNEST GRUENING, Governor

AT

FOREWORD AND RECOMMENDATIONS

T THE close of the fiscal year, the war-still, as last year, the overshadowing fact in Alaska—was nearing a new phase. Gigantic undertakings for defense had shifted to enterprises for offense. The Japanese on Attu Island has been exterminated and the recapture of Kiska, the only Alaskan terrain in enemy hands, was imminent. Alaska, since Pearl Harbor a combat area, appeared cast for a new role as an area of supply storage and a corridor for transport for offensive action in the Orient. It was too early to forecast the extent and usefulness of these potentialities.

The Sixteenth Legislature, meeting for its biennial session, cooperated with the Executive in meeting certain exigencies brought about by war. It acceded to his recommendation to increase the salaries of Alaska's long underpaid school teachers and of clerical workers, and to repeal certain statutes which interfered with the fullest use of manpower. It adopted various measures designed to uphold the program of Federal agencies. It confirmed all the gubernatorial appointments and sustained all vetoes. But it failed to anticipate the obvious needs of the future in either reforming the inadequate Territorial tax structure, to meet impending deficits and foreseeable requirements, to plan for post-war conditions, or to set the Territorial house in order for its better development when peace returns. It likewise failed to pass by the smallest possible margin-one vote in the House-a bill designed to eliminate discrimination against the Indian and Eskimo of Alaska, who constitute approximately half the Territory's population.

Wartime restrictions still make impossible a discussion of the profound changes which war has wrought in Alaska and their effect on its future.

AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

Research projects carried on during the past year at the Fairbanks station and Matanuska substation included oat and pea ensilage as a substitute for dry-cured hay in feeding dairy cattle; growing and finishing swine on locally produced grain and pasture; crop rotation, potato production with emphasis on seed production and the control of disease; raising dairy calves on locally grown grain, fish meal, and powdered skim milk; wintering sheep on various feeds; use of commercial fertilizer in potato production; canning peas; pasture improvement studies; variety tests with alfalfa and studies with yellow blossom alfalfa. At Petersburg substation, projects included work with mink, marten, and fox, in cooperation with the Alaska Game Commission.

The stations are financed jointly by the University of Alaska and the Office of Experiment Stations of the Department of Agriculture.

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

This service is closely allied with the experiment station program and supervised by the same director. During the past year, victory gardens were encouraged, and projects in nutrition, sewing, handicraft, home management, and canning were carried on in the Tanana and Matanuska Valleys as well as in some sections of southeastern Alaska. In 1942, 592 boys and girls were enrolled in 4-H club work throughout the Territory.

ALASKA RURAL REHABILITATION CORPORATION

Matanuska Valley Project

During 1943, agriculture continued to expand in the valley, stimulated by the great demand for farm products and the high prices paid to farmers. Expansion and improvement were noted especially in dairy farming, poultry farming, and the production of vegetables. Every effort was made to increase production to meet war needs as well as to help the farmers take advantage of the great demand, and the higher prices to reduce indebtedness and build up their credit ratings, thereby preparing themselves for whatever may come after the war.

Cleared land in the valley now totals approximately 6,000 acres. The ARRC has general administration of approximately 140 farms, about 12,000 acres of land, of which about 4,000 acres are under cultivation.

The ARRC aids in the development of farming in the valley by maintaining reserve and emergency supplies of hay, feeds, seed, and fertilizer to meet unusual conditions, clearing additional land, making production loans to reliable farmers at a low rate of interest, maintaining farm machinery to grow reserve supplies of hay and feed on vacant tracts and to maintain wells, cooperating with the Farmers' Cooperating Association in securing the best possible marketing program and greatest returns to the farmers, advising farmers on agricultural, financial and personal problems, and in many other ways.

On June 30, 92 miles of electric line were under the control of the Matanuska Electric Association, Inc., the total number of patrons being 235. During the year an increase in consumption of 27.5 percent was noted.

ALASKA TERRITORIAL GUARD

The Alaska National Guard was federalized on September 12, 1941. With the outbreak of hostilities, the Governor sought legislative authority to organize an Alaska Territorial Guard and received it promptly through an act approved December 31, 1941 (Public No. 392, 77th Cong.). This law, drafted in conformity with the desires of the War Department, permitted through voluntary enlistments the organization of an Alaska Territorial Guard under such regulations as to discipline and training as the Secretary of War might prescribe.

At that time Alaska was evidently destined to be a combat area and it was the Governor's desire that as far as possible there be no noncombatants or passive spectators among the male population, but that everybody be prepared to resist an enemy invasion, should it take place. Although the Army and Navy were building up a vast defense force, there were still tremendous stretches of coast and interior throughout Alaska without protection by the armed services. Under these circumstances, it was felt that the Alaska Territorial Guard might render a valuable service in opposing the landing of enemy commandos, scouting parties or the entrance of espionage agents or saboteurs.

So the organization of the guard proceeded rapidly to the point where over 103 units have been organized, with an actual enrolled strength of approximately 4,200 men and 275 commissioned officers. In general, enrollments were confined to males of 16 or over, although in a few cases exceptions were made. The easternmost and southern

most unit is at Metlakatla, a village inhabited solely by Tsimshian Indians. The northernmost unit is at Barrow, where the population is principally Eskimo, with some mixed blood. The westernmost unit is at Gambell on St. Lawrence Island some 40 miles from the Siberian coast, where the population is wholly Eskimo.