(03 of 09) 3. Coal; constitutional convention Coal was needed in Fairbanks and was shipped to Korea. Les believed that he was in the middle in terms of political knowledge. He believed there was some political maneuverings to make Bill...
(06 of 09) 6. Consultants and committees There were consultants at the convention to offer advice and assistance, including some consultants who were pushing an agenda. Each of the committees made a good effort and the document as a whole...
(10:14 min.) (09 of 09)
Learning about the barging business
Eskimo boy hunting; beach; tied up the boat; land downstream on the barge; Demientieff, Martha; summer; advice; barge business; safety net; schooling; adventure; educated children in both...
(2:12 min.) (12 of 12) Final comments for the record -- proud of Alaska; working within the government; obtained Statehood -- without revolution; Alaska -- finest state in the Union; delegates -- thinking of the future; resources -- Natives;...
(2:20 min.) (02 of 12) Toast Mistress Club and the Statehood Issue debating committee; debate -- Statehood issue; rules; politics, religion; appoint a committee to study issue of Statehood; too political -- couldn't study Statehood; Dr. Moberg...
(2:30 min.) (03 of 08) 3. Outside [non-Alaskan] control Still thinks at time of interview that becoming a commonwealth would have been better. Sees a major problem with control in Washington instead of in the states, and the same thing for...
(3:06 min) (04 of 17) Flying business
June '47 bought an airplane and started work mostly near Aniak, Fairbanks, Circle, Fort Yukon wound up in Central. Went to Globe Arizona in the winters to take classes in air mechanic and everything...
(3:08 min) (18 of 19) Put the gas car out of business Cost $0.25 a round trip in gas between the school and Fairbanks. Fall of 1932 he ordered a 32 passenger bus. Ran it as a bus in the winter and switched the chassis to a cargo vehicle for...
(3:09 min.) (01 of 09) 1. Early life Les's father went north with the gold rush; when he found that the claims had all been staked, he and his partners opened up a paint and wallpaper store. Les moved to Fairbanks with his wife and eldest...
(3:09 min.) (10 of 28) 10. Fighter planes
About 50 P-40's (fighters) were shuttled across by the aircraft carrier "Ranger". These planes were destined to replace the worn planes in China. One plane landed hard and lost a landing gear.
(3:11 min.) (08 of 12) Pork-Barrel appointment to judgeships and reactions to Ada being a part of the Constitutional Convention Fairbanks -- before Statehood; territorial form of government -- people had no voice; Washington DC -- grant favors;...
(3:16 min) (03 of 17) Army, teaching and Fish & Game Trained in Sta. Maria California (Moffitt Field) finished in 1942. James C. Ryan old instructor talked about jobs. Got out of Army during WWII to teach school, took Gov. Gruening and Rep....