The San Francisco call., 1903-12-08
Lawmakers Urged
to 4id Big Fairs
Mr.. Roosevelt Writes En-
eOwagingly of Louisiana
Purchase and LezvIS and
Clark Expedition

The rural free delivery service has been
steadily extended. The attention OF the Con-
ton OF the letter carriers and clerks engaged IN
the postal service. especially on the new rural
stalled since the 1st OF July last than in any
like period in the departments history Wnle
in the establishment Of new routes. yet the ex-
tension OF the rural free delivery system must
be continued. for reasons OF sound public policy
No governmental movement Of recent years has
resulted in greater immediate benefit to the
people OF the country districts Rural free de-
livery, taken in connection with the telephone.
the bicycle and the trolley. accomplishes much
toward lessening the isolation OF farm life and
making II brighter and more attractive IN the
immediate past the lack OF just such facilities
as these has driven many OF the more active
and restless young men and women from the
farms to tire cities for they rebelled at lOneh-
ness and lack OF mental companionship. II Is
grlnsaithy ana % ~ tb co'',t,,s s,5 -,,si
free delivery is not only good thing In itself.
but Is coed because il is one OF the causes
0,bfob .SecE tbIs unvvbolesorne Tendency fovVa~5
the urban concentration OF our population at
the expense OF the country districts. II Is for
approve OF the policy OF building good roads
The movement for good roads is one fraught
tricts
I trust that the Congress win continue to IA
vor IN all proper ways the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition. This exposition commentaries the
Louisiana purchase, which was the first great
step in the expansion which made US a CONT
Clark across the continent followed thereon and
marked the beginning Of the process OF explora-
boundaries to the Pacific. The acquisition OF
the Oregon country, including the present States
OF Oregon and washington. was a fact Of i'm
mense Importance In cur history; first giving US
our place on the Pacific seaboard and making
ready the way for our ascendency in the com
merce OF the greatest OF the oceans. The CEN
tennial OF our establishment upon the Western
coast by the expedition OF Lewis and Clark is to
be celebrated at Portland Oregon, by an expo
sition In the summer Of 1905 and this event
should receive recognition and support from the
national Government.
call your special attention to the Territory
Of Alaska The country Is developing rapidly
and il has assured future. The mineral
wealth Is great and has vet hardly been
kept under national control. will be a business
as permanent any other and OF the utmost
erly guarded will form another great source Of
wealth. Portions OF Alaska are fitted for farm
ing and stock raising although the methods
must be adapted to the peculiar conditions OF
the country. Alaska is situated IN the far
north; but Norway and Sweden and Fin
lana; and Alaska can prosper and play its part
prospered and played their parts in the old
world; Proper land laws should be enacted:
and the survey OF the public lands Immediately
begun. Coal land laws should be provided
whereby the coal land entryman may make his
location and secure patent under methods kin
dred to those prescribed for homestead and
mineral entrynen. Salmon hatcherles. exclu-
sively under Government control. should be es-
tablished. The cable should be extended from
should be built, and the building OF railroads
promoted in all legitimate ways. Lighthouses
should be built along the coast. Attention
should be paid to the needs OF the Alaska IN
dians. provision should be made for an officer
with deputies. to study their needs relieve
themselves to the new conditions.
The commission appointed to investisats.
needs OF the Alaskan salmon fisheries. has m
ished its work in the field. and Is preparing
detailed report thereon A preliminary report