The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-01
TAFT FAVORS
 SHIP SUBSIDY Will Recommend It to
 Congress. AT SEATTLE " EXPOSITION President Discusses Government for
 Alaska. Tells Members of Arctic Brotherhood That Far North Cannot Govern Itself-0ses Deep Into Trade
 Ce.fitions.

before the largest audience he has faced since his trip began--a crowd that overflowed the natural amphi- theatre of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition with its seating capacity of nearly 2O.oo0--President Taft to- day announced that he would urge in his coming message to Congress the enactment of ship subsidy lave MT. Taft declared that the country was ready to make <such experiment and that something must be done to build up ~xn American merchant marine. His utterances on this sub tect were received with great ap- piause.
 When the President turned to Alaska. however. and declared that he | was opposed to granting a territorial form of government to that far-off country the statement was received with silence As the President pro- | ceeded. however, and outlined his policy for the upbuilding of Alaska. | of recommending government aid in | the construction of railroads, of . local government by a commission of
 
 the President and cooperating with l 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. To Visit Alaska.
 Later in the day when he was ad- I mitted to membership in the Arctic Brotherhood, an international organf- l zation made up of Canadians and Americans interested in the develop | ment of Alaska. the President an nounced that he intended to visit Alaska next summer and to go as far into the territory as time would per- l init in order that he might come into contact with the people and see for himself what might best be done for thefr welfare.l1E
 The President frankly told tho mem- bers of the Brotherhood that he did not believe Alaska at this time Is ready for entire eif-government. T am as much in favor of popular government as anybody" declared the President. but I am in favor of popu- | lar government only when the condi- | tfons exist under which popular gov ernment may be a success and work | for the benefit of the people and the | government at large. When there are | limitations growing out of various | circumstances we must take other means until popular government be- comes possible. and then of course, 1t | Is the best government In the world ' l In discussing ship subsidy. President Taft declared that if war shoull come at this time the United States would not have vessels enough to car ry coal to its fleets. And it would be doubtful under the neutrality laws, he added. if the United States would be able to buy foreign vessels in ths emergency
 The President had an interesting day which ended tonight with a banquet in the Washington building on the exposition grounds.
 salve For NOrthwesteru.
 This great Alaska Yukon aci fic Exposition" said the President, twas the objective point of my trip to the
 West and I am glad to have arrived here after two weeks travel from ths old Bay State.
 "As I look about me at this wonder. full exhibition of the progress of tn, . Northwest, of Alaska and the Pacific
 coast, I feel a great pride in having
 urged upon the proper congressiona committee with all the emphasis O.
 which I was capable. the importanc,
 and utility of the enterprise.
 When I first planned my visit tt Seattle I had included with 1t { trip to Alaska in order that
 might. by a personal investigation
 make myself better acquainted witt
 and with the best method of seeing 1t development.
 q greatly regret that the time con stunned by Congress in the considera tion of the tariff bill prevented m!
 carrying out that part of the plan em |, braced in a visit to this most inter esting territory.
 one of Mir. Stewards substantia claims to the gratitude of his country
 men and to place among the states
 men of his country Is the broad viev
 which he took of the value of flask;
 and his wisdom in effectlng Its pur
 chase. The cession of Virginia and tn,
 ordinance of 17S7 which gave to thu
 nation the middle west; the purchas
 by Jefferson of Louisiana territory
 which carried our domain to the Rock.
 Mountains: the acquisition of Texai
 and the treaty of Gaudeloupe. Hidalgo
 which extended our territory to tn, | Pacific coast, were properly supple
 mented by the acquisition of flask;
 and this exposition may well be re | garded a combination of the foresigh
 of Seward In his policy of expansion . "Such a territory as Alaska embrace,
 has need of a local legislature an,
 local government which can only b,
 understood by those who are on tn, ground and 1t is utterly impossible anC impracticable for Congress in its legis Iation to govern the details by iegisla
 ton required for the best development
 of the territory. There has been nc
 authority fin the territory having ar , adequate jurisdiction to meet tn,
 exigencies of such a young but poten tIally prosperous territory.
 , Congress And Alaska.
 Tt has been proposed that Congress!
 should give to Alaska the regular form
 of territorial government under whicl
 a legislature might be elected and
 governor. and between the two they might be gwen the powers ordinaril, given to the legislature and executiv,
 of regularly organized territories. ''I think this would be a great mis , take. because I do not think that tn, , territory has a population of sufficien
 stability and permanence of resldenc, to warrant the delegation to a locall,
 elected Legislature of such authority Many of the places in Alaska wher, there Is a considerable population ar, nothing but mining camps with all tn, migratory and temporary features O. such settlements. More than that, tn,
 population Is so small compared witt