newsminer.com

10 YEARS AGO

May 1, 1998 — A coalition of Native groups, librarians and civil libertarians is asking the Fairbanks school system to return “American Indian Myths and Legends” to library shelves, saying students have a First Amendment right to read the controversial book. Administrators pulled the book from four local schools in December after deciding some of its sexually explicit stories were inappropriate for children. It was moved to the Alaska Collection in the district’s central administration building, where only adults may check it out. The action followed a similar decision by the Anchorage school board, which restricted the book after some parents complained about its content.

25 YEARS AGO

May 1, 1983 — Some 20 jobs — 25 percent of the work force, have been permanently cut at North Pole Refining, effective Friday under a reorganization of subsidiaries owned by MAPCO Inc. The refinery expects to maintain its present production, but a MAPCO spokesman said the jobs eliminated were duplicated or overlapping and could be handled elsewhere in the MAPCO structure. Jobs cuts at the refinery, which produces heating and jet fuel, did not involve executive positions or those directly involved in production, said David S. Leslie, MAPCO vice president of public relations.

50 YEARS AGO

May 1, 1958 — The marshal’s office lodged Marvin A. Johnson in federal jail at about 1 p.m. today following a chase that ended when the cab in which Johnson was riding was stopped by a road block thrown up by Eielson Air Police. Johnson was booked for giving two bad checks, one for $500 and the other $550, to James Crouder, proprietor of the Bettles Trading Post. Upon arrest, it was found that Johnson was also carrying money taken from the safe of the trading post while Crouder was in town investigating the checks.

75 YEARS AGO

May 1, 1933 — Rates of the Alaska Railroad should be reduced and the transportation system should not be regarded as merely a business enterprise but also as a factor for the development of the Northland and as a means of national defense, according to a resolution adopted by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. A copy of the resolutions has been received by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and accompanying them was a letter from T.A. Stevenson, manager of the chamber. The resolution follows: “Tacoma Chamber of Commerce approves the reduction of freight rates on the Alaska Railroad to at least as low a basis as was in effect prior to the increase of 50 percent which become effective April 1, 1931.”