Cruises Increased

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has ordered the National Park Service to allow more cruise ships in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park.

Apparently this is a concession to the new political muscle of Alaska’s Republican congressional delegation, Washington insiders say.

The 72-percent increase in giant tour boat visits is a “victory” for Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, the incoming chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Washington Post writer Tom Kenworthy.

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, has also pushed for the increase.