The Ketchikan mining news., 1907-01-18

There is another coal famine, and one which seriously threatens to be- come more distressing than that of a few months ago. The dealers stocks are completely exhausted and not only is the question of supply for domestic use grave one, but one which seri- ously affects the business and indus trial interests of the town and dis trict. The tug Clayburn, which plies between Hadley and Maple Bay in the ore-carrying trade, is wholly crip- pied for the want of fuel, and sus- smelter, and at some of the mines on nately the abundance of wood to be had from nearby forests, which can be had for the cost of cutting and haul ing, will serve to avert the suffering which might otherwise ensue. If there be no serious interruption to navigation on the Seattle.Skagway route, and consequent delay in the transportation of the mails, to say nothing of the freight and passenger traffic, we may consider ourselves fortunate indeed.
 ASK SQUARE DEAL FOR ALASKA.
 In the presence of the actual and recognized needs of Alaska, Gov. Hoggatt travelled some what out of his way, in his annual repJrt to President Roosevelt. when he It commended the appointment of commission for the purpose of ascertaining precisely the nature and extent of .ilaska's needs.
 In ordinary circumsi ances it seems tn to hNVS Of NA know the needs of the territory over which he presides, and if he doesn't know, he ought to be able to find out these things without putting the gov ernment to extra expense. It is not also his duty to know the legislative needs of the territory over which he is given authority.
 Waskey, one of the delegates from Alaska has pressed tue real, actual and urgent needs of Alaska upon the attention of the national government. Alaska not only needs, but Alaska also deserves q territorial form of government, form of government, in fact and in spirit, in harmony with American institutions and the tradi- tional policy and hitherto unbroken practice of the republic. No commis- sion is needed to give emphasis to the fact.
 Nothing less than a territorial form of government will meet the actual needs of Alaska, and certainly noth- ing less will satisfy the American cit izens who have built homes and founded industries there. These citi- zens have some sort of claim on the national government, and the govern ment will do less than its duty by them if it shall fail to honor their de- mand for juster treatment at the hands of congress.
 Alaska is developing rapidly. It is steadily increasing in population. New industries are constantly spring ing up. Mines are being opened and worked. Railroad construction is making rapid progress. The people there are industrious, intelligent and law-abiding. They should be given a form of government which will per- init them to to work out such local problems as may cOnreln them. Not in all tho sofri.c@is.p History of the American nation has the national gov ernment withheld, as it is now with holding from Alaska, the boon and blessing of organized local intsitu- tiOns.
 Alaska should be given, not a junk eting commission to inquire into facts already known, but territorial form of government, such as has been given to other territories from the begin ming of the American nation. That would be the square and just thing to do.-Seattle P.-I.