The Washington times., 1910-02-27
Episcopal Prelate Declares
Wealth of Country Is
Being Stolen.
COAL LANDS SOLD
FOR $40 AN ACRE
Rt. Rev. Rowe Declares Northern
Possession Needs Protection
at Washington.

Criticism OF the United States Govern
ment for the methods OF administering
laws in Alaska and protest against the
taking Of the peoples birthrights" by
the sale of valuable coal lands for so
an acre were voiced by the RI. Rev.
p. T. Rowe. d. D.. bishop Of the Alas
kan diocese Of the Episcopalian Church.
In an address at the Church of the
Epiphany this morning
Bishop ROwe's verdict was impressive
by virtue of the deliberateness and
briefness with which he touched upon
these matters. which. al this time. are
before the public as national issues
The churchman is in Washington 10
urge upon The members Of Episcopal
congregations the necessity for financial
aid II the work he has so far been sue
cessful in leading IS 70 be continued
mission, equal IN importance. is 10
place before officials Of the Govern
ment the recognition Alaska deserves
because Of its promised future impor-
tance as one OF the greatest territorial
properties OF America
Protection Needed.
Beginning with a brief history OF the
Alaska purchase and its requirement by
this Government in 17i2. Bishop Rowe
went Immediately into mis- plea for the
United States citizens OF the far North.
The Government records said Bsh-
op Rowe. speak most eIoQuently Of the
inestimable wealth and future prospects
or Alaska These vast natural re-
sOUrces-deposits Of gold, coal and other
minerals-belong, 70 the people, They
should not he FILTERED away by un-
thinking legislators and officials for the
mere pittanCe Of SO an acre-SIG for an
acre Of land that. with increases in
transportation facilities. will IN q short
time he worth many times as much. The
property should he conserved, so no one
but the people will get what rightfully
belongs TO them and them alone
There Many Years,
Bishop Rowe has spent many years in
Alaska AS he told his audience this
morning. he has acquainted himself not
only with the spiritual needs Of its
people but also with their governmental
needs. His pioneer wort in establish
ing Episcopal missions ami the resultant
knowledge Of the people and conditions
OF the country. he has become known
as an authority on the subject he took
this morning.
Because sometimes, people who get
down 60 Washington as representatives
OF Alaska are not the best and truest TO
advise Congress to do the right thing
for our Northern possession, we have
not the laws we are entitled 10 or the
recognition we should have.
II is because OF the present system OF
laws in regard 10 our valuable fisheries
that the $ll. 600 oo0 and more that has
been made from the seal and fishing
banks has not remained il Alaska. Nor
has even a fair percentage Of Il re-
mained.
Cannot Be Disputed.
Il say what I do about Alaska's rep
resentation in Washington, deliberately.
publicly and boldly. knowing that it can
not he disputed. The Government help
ed. IL is true. in many WAYS. How
ever. where we should have hundreds
we set the pennies. In the majority OF
cases the Government is helping only
IN picaVunish way"
Bishop Rowe concluded with a recital
OF the work OF establishing missions,
and OF the good oil churches have done
in lettering the terrible moral and So
cial conditions in which the natives
were left when the Territory was turned