The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-26
TO AID US
Secretary LeFevre Says That
Seattle viii Help Alaska

out the states mas Certainty ANl KY W.
trlbutcd TO a lack OF interest In the at-
fairs OF Alaska that Is now prevalent
said Mr.. LeFevre, secretary Of the
Skagway chamber OF commerce, TO a
representative Of the Alaskan last
night. "The people OF Seattle, how
ever, always alert 70 affairs that can be
m de TO contribute 20 their prosperity,
fully realize the importance OF foster
ing their relations with this district,
and are earnest and honest In exertlng
their utmost endeayors TO aid the deyel-
ment OF Alaska. But while constant
In extending their aid and influence,
they quite often act ill-advisedly. In
this matter the people Of Alaska are
oitener more ut FAULT than our friends
OF Seattle. Their chamber OF com
merce is seldom visited by Alaskans
who desire 70 present matters that are
OF general interest. On the contrary
that organization Is more often impor-
tuned by the agents Of special interests
who are seeking aid in private or cor
porate schemes. Some Alaskans adj
wise the Seattle chamber Of the advls-
ability Of certain actions, while others
come before them 70 advocate adverse
plans. One OF the members Of the old
Alaska committee told me that any rec
ommoudatiOn made by unity Of the
people would undoubtedly be enacted
Il is very difficult 70 act upon matters
that are in dispute among the people,
as Il is out OF the province Of cham
Der 70 decide controversies. 10 Is the
desire Of this body to lend their best
efforts 70 carry out the viii Of the poo
pie as a whole. The newly appointed
Alaska committee for the ensuing year
IS composed OF Samuel p, Weston, L,
70. Gilman, William II. Lewis, James
y. Mike, Charles r. Collins, g. 5.
Preston, George E. De Steigner f.
Shorrock and j. S. Jurey. They are
all Jealous and active men, many OF
them interested in thu district aud
posted In is affairs. II the people Of
Alaska cannot come 70 a mutual under
standing and pull in union for what ID
wanted, the friends OF the district
and there are many OF them-will be
placed at a disadvantage that cannot be
overcome before the expiration OF this
session OF congress. No; / can't say
that have any plan 70 offer. am en-
deavoring 10 find out the plan Of action
that is indorscd by the majority OF the
people, and II plan materializes / will
do what every American citizen In the
district should-bog for IL 70 the utmost
Of my humble ability. Now, as near as
| can learn both the territorialists and
the anti-territorislist aud everybody
wants the license law repealed or so
amended that the revenue derived from
IL may be disbursed for Alaska and by
Alaskans. Many Of all factions want a
delegate and none oppose 40 act TO Gre
ate one. There will be no opposition
on that score, The people Of Nome,
Eagle and Valdez are very DESTROYS
that the government foster telegraphs,
wagon roads and railroads, aud there is
no reason why the rest o. the district
should not help them in return for their
support in other matters that are de-
sired down this way. OF course, the
terrltorialists want a territorial govern
ment Immediately. I believe perhaps
the majority Of the people want IL, l
do most certainly. But hardly be
lieye that all the work necessary TO in
troduce and pass a territorial bin can
be cot ready for this session, and If IL
could il would receive the opposition
OF the ants, aud there would be an
other years quota Of license money Sc
clustered from the distric another
year OF probing about without an ac-
credited representative and another
year Of stagnation in the development
Of the country at the north and the
westward. II is easier 70 obtain a
friendly feeling and jealous aid for
Alaska among the people Of the states
than II is 70 advise them what the peo.
pie OF Alaska want at this time. 1
heard one gentleman say ha' 20 en-
deayor 10 du anything in behalf a. tnis
district was pretty much Of a thankless
task De had tried H. Governor
Swineforl's plan Of calling a conven-
ton may be a good one. The matter. I
understand, is under way, but / have
not vet seen any evidence Of what may
come o. Il. Il may be the best way 70
gcl together, and TO get together and
that hnmediately-ls the main thing. "