Speech #840233079

Another measure is going to make it easier on homestead settlers who enter unsurveyed public lands. From now on they will be required to make only one final proof prior to survey instead of being required to submit proof twice. thus cutting a lot of unneeded redtape and speeding action on final acquisition of the land. Among the other measures enacted during the past 2 years are bills to permit the Alaska Railroad to enter into 55year leases on its property. authorize a yearly appropriation of $250.000 for Bureau of Reclamation investigations. extend until December of 1958 the present law allowing the Territory first refusal of surplus personal Federal property in Alaska. raise the annual compensation of the United States Commissioners so that those officials in Alaska may retain up to $12.500 a year from fees collected. establish a commission to study the feasibility of a railroad to the Territory and additional roads to connect the States and Alaska. abolish Old Kasaan National Monument. authorize the Fish and Wildlife Service to regulate the distance between set nets in Alaska waters. permit members of the Territorial legislature to run as candidates for the State constitutional convention which was held last winter at the University of Alaska. authorize the Secretary of the Interior to work out plans for establishment of facilities. such as office space for Customs and Immigration. at the AlaskaCanada border. permit homestead allotments granted to Eskimos. Aleuts and Indians to be alienated after 5 years of occupancy and use. permit the Territory to borrow funds from the Federal Government to supplement Territorial unemployment compensation funds. bring the Eskimos increased incomes by permitting the export of walrus hides from the Territory. and several more. On the numerous measures now law or soon to be which were handled by committees other than the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee.