1946 Study: Pros, Cons of AK Statehood

Because statehood for Alaska is more than a temporary problem of the year 1946 in
which the referendum on that matter was scheduled the Alaska Statehood association
decided to have its report on the subject preserved in this permanent booklet form.
The association was formed primarily to win the referendum vote but its members,
Alaskans from all sections of the Territory, realize that statehood cannot be attained in a
day and even after the U. S. congress has enacted the enabling legislation, the state
has been set up and its officers have begun to function, the original aims and desires of
the people still will have to be sought out and carried forward.
George Sundborg, author of this report, newspapered at Juneau, did research work for
the Alaska office of the National Resources Planning board and for the US State
Department, and served as assistant director of the North Pacific Study, a joint
Canadian-U.S. undertaking. Author of the book, "Opportunity in Alaska," he also has
been a marketing official with the Bonneville administration and is a frequent contributor
to magazines and newspapers.
We believe this study has permanent value for both citizens and students. We hope it
will become one of the state papers of the new State of Alaska.