Douglas Island news., 1907-01-09
Gov. Hoggatt's s Views
WASHINGTON, D. 0. Nov. 18th, 1906.

submit herewith my views aS Io Ghe most urgent need of legislation for Alaska.
 Alaska is HOW governed under code of laws enacted by Congress and ap- proved June 6, 1900. Since the passage of this act the development of the country has been wonderful, and legis- lation has necessarily been unable to keep pace with its growth. This act was a great step in advance, and its working has been all that its authors could reasonably expect. It was some what hastily constructed and is defect i've in many ways. To remedy these defects and provide such additional legislation as will meet the growing needs of this country, 1 think it would be wise to provide some means by which the Alaskan code of laws conld be revised. To this end 1 would recon mend that Congress provide for com mission to visit all parts of Alaska, study the needs of the various districts, and make such recommendations which, if enacted into law would con duce to the better welfare of Alaska. This commission could present in one bill nearly everything that would be needful in the way of legislation, which seems to be constantly increasing.
 There are. however, some matters of urgent importance which have need of the immediate action of Congress.
 First of importance is the creation of an additional Judicial division to embrace that portion of Alaska along the coast west of Yukutat Bay and ex- tending to the interior for distance of 200 miles. This proposed district Is now embraced within the third judicial district and entails work upon the judge which it is impossible for one man to do. The increase of business of the third judicial division has been very great within the last two years, and with the increasing developments in Prince William Sound and the Cop per River valleys the necessity for an additional judicial division is urgent.
 Owing to the present congestion of business in the courts of the Second and Third judicial divisions, caused by the large amount of litigation, 6fth judge should be provided for Alaska, this judge to be assigned to such dis trict as the Attorney General might direct as conditions warranted.
 Owing to the peculiar nature of the deposits of gold in the Fairbanks dist rict and in the Nome district, there have been conflicts over the ownership of valuable mining claims, causing end less vexation and trouble and depriv- ing rightful owners of the use of their property for prolonged periods. In some instances there has been as much as million dollars of gold on a dump awaiting months for a decision as to the rightful ownership, and then per. haps year or more for an appeal. In many instances these contests of title have savored of blackmail. The orig irators of suits, knowing the eongested conditions of the courts, have taken advantage of the fact to tie up vast sums of money in the hope of efecting compromise. If quick determination of these suits could be had, there would undoubtedly be fewer of themr as shere will be no need of additional gen oral court officers for this additional judge the expense will be small,
 Owing to the activity in railroad con- struction which now prevails in some sections and seems to be only starting, ! would recommend that a law be enacted prohibiting the sale of liquor or the licensing the sale thereof at any place within radius of , miles of construction camp of railroad or enterprise employing one hundred or more men, except in incorporated towns
 Owing to the peculiar nature of the deposits of gold in the placer districts of the interior of Alaska the general mining laws of the United States do not seem to be entirely applicable and AaVe been the cause of much conten- ton and litigation, and some relief should be found by a commission on revision of the laws which ! have al ready recommended.
 Owing to the recent important dis. eoveries of rich copper deposits neav the one hundred and forty-ffth merie dian, the boundry line between Alaska