Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-01
DAY AT THE BIG FAIR
Crowd in BiE AmphIth eater t. the
Largest President Has Faced
since BeeinhInG Of Hts
Ions Tour.

SEATTLE, Wash. Sept. sO-speakinE be-
fore the largest audience he has faced
since his trip began-a crowd that over
flowed the natural amphitheater OF the
Alaska-Y Yukon-P Pacific exposition with its
seating capacity OF nearly 20 2Oo00-President
tart today announced that he would urge
IN his coming message to congress the
enactment Of ship-subsdy law.
MI. Taft declared that the country was
ready TO make such experiment and that
something must be done to build up an
American merchant marine. His utter
ances on this subject we're received with
great acclaim.
When the president turned TO Alaska,
however. and declared that he was opposed
to granting a territorial form of govern
ment to that far-off possession, the state
ment was received in silence. AS the
president proceeded, however, and out
lined his policy for the up-building OF
Alaska, of recommending government aid
in the construction Of railroads, Of a local
government by a commission Of five or
more members appointed by the president
and cooperating with the governor, and
when he told OF the great possibilities that
lie in Alaska, he plainly caught the favor
OF his hearers and was loudly cheered
Member of Arctic BrotherhOod.
Later in the day, when he was admitted
to membership in the Arctic Brotherhood
an International organization madeup Of
Canadians and Americans interested in the
development of Alaska the president an
nounced that he intended to visit Alaska
next summer and TO go as far into the ter
ritory time would permit in order that
he might come into contact with the people
and see for himself what might best be
done for their welfare.
The president frankly told the members
of the brotherhood that he did not believe
Alaska al this time is ready for entire
self-government.
II am as much in favor OF popular self
government as anybody" declared the pres
dent bat 4 anI ~ favor or popular gov
ernment only when the conditions exist and
under which popular government may be a
success and work for the benNfit OF the
people and the government at large When
there are limitations growing cut of various
circumstances we must t2Ke other means
until popular government becomes possible,
and then. OF course, It is the best govern
nent in the world"
Navy Needs TranspOrts.
%, In discussing ship subsidy, President Taft
declared that IL war should come at this
time. the United States would not have
enough vessels to carry coal to it's fleets.
And Il would be doubtful, under the neu-
uality laws, he added, If the United States
would be able to buy foreign vessels in
the emergency.
The president had an interesting and a
busy day, which ended tonight with a ban
quet in the Washington building on the
exposition grounds,
The address In the amphitheater was made
at p. m. and immediately after the cere-
monies there the president went to the
Arctic brotherhood building for the initis-
ton He returned TO the city for q period
! of rest and to dress for dlnter. Returning
I to the fair grounds tonight. Mr.. Taft
viewed for the first tlme' the / wonderful
-llidminations
Presidents Adlresd.
in his address at the amIsithet Ater. Presi-
taent Taft said This gredt Alaska
tYukon- Pacific exposition vas the objec-
WE point on my trip to the west and 1 am
ad 10 have arrived here after two weeks
N'avel from the old Bay state, AS l look
loout me at this wonderful exhibition Of
he progress OF the northwest of Alaska
md the Pacific coast, feel d great pride
having urged the proper congressional
ommittee with all the emphasis Of which
vas capable. the importance and utility
4 the enterprise
Alaska Is country of immense eXpanse
laud the governmental needs Of the south
Eastern portion near TO Washington and
Htne northwest are quitd different from
those OF Nome and the Seward peninsula
aud OF the valley OF tha Yukon. Such a
territory has need of 4 local legislation
and local government which can only be
understood by those who are on the ground
and II is utterly impossible and imprac-
t.cable for congress in is relation to gov
H.. 81 for
The best development OF the territory
having an adequate jurisdiction to meet
he exigoncies Of such & young but poten-
tany prosperous territorE
Not Ready for SELF Government.
IN has been proposed that congress
Aieuld give to Alaska the regular form Of
teu eprlal government sF'er which legis-
iauIa might be elected nd a governor and
betw Ven the two they might be given the
"A noN,.ts ordinarily given TO the Legislature
aud Executive of regularly organized ter
ritofy. think this would be great mis-
takA because / do not think that the ter
ritork has a population of sufficient sta
bitt,t ana permanence Of residence to war
rant the delegation 10 locally elected leg
tslatSrr OF such authority. Many Of the
places in Alaska where there is consider
able population are nothing but mining
camps wish all the migratory and tempor-
AIRY features OF such settlements. More
than that the population is SO small as
compared with the vast expanse of the
territory that It would be unwise TO pro
vide that a comparatively small pOpula-
lion IN southeastern Alaska should elect
representatives and legisiats for the vas,
territory running from British Columbia
10 Rehrlng sea and he Arctic ocean.
-.ocal self-sovern neRt or home rule in
srliFh :
scfi. rld homadie population, with intense
local and sectional FEELING. should not b
stvsn serious consideration until the popu-