Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
ALASKA.

With reference to the government OF
Alaska. l have nothing to add to the
recommendations 1 made In my last mes
sage on the subject. I am convinced
lation, its unequal distribution, and its
smallness of number. which the new
census shows to be about $4,000, in re-
iation to the enormous expanse OF the
territory, make it altogether impracti-
cable to give to those people who are in
Alaska today, and may not be there a
year hence. the power to elect legisla-
ture to govern an immense territory to
which they have a relation SO little per-
manent. 1t is far better for the de-
yelopment Of the territory that 1t be
committed to a commission to be appoint
ed by the executive, with limited legis-
lative powers sufficiently broad to meet
the local needs, than to continue the
present insufficient government with few
remedial powers, or to make a popular
government where there is not proper
foundation upon which to rest it.
The suggestion that the appointment of
a commission will lead to the control
OF the government by corporate or selfish
slightest foundation in fact. Such a
government worked well in the Philip
pines, and would work well in Alaska.
and those who are really interested In
| the proper development Of that terri
tory for the benefit Of the people who
live in it and the benefit of the people
| of the United States. who own it, should
support the institution of such a gov
eminent.
I have been asked to recommend that
the credit OF the government be extended
| to aid the construction of railroads in
Alaska l am not ready now to do so
| A great many millions of dollars have al.
ready been expended in the construction
OF at least two railroads, and II laws be
passed providing for the proper develop
menf
cially for the opening up Of the coal lands
believe that the capital already invested
will induce the investment of more CAPT
tai. sufficient to complete the railroads
building, and to furnish cheap coal not
only to Alaska, but to the whole Pacific
coast The passage of a law permitting
| the leasing OF government coal lands in
Alaska after public competition. and the
appointment OF commission for the gov
eminent of the territory, with enabling
powers to meet the local needs, will lead
to an improvement In Alaska and the de.
velopment of her resources that Is likely
to surprise the country.
Our national parks have become SO ex.
tensive and involve SO much detail Of &C.
| ton in their control that it seems to me
there ought to be legislation creating 9
bureau for their care and control. The
greatest natural wonder of this country
included in another national park refer
| to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
l. Pensions.
| The uniform policy Of the government
| in the matter of granting pensions tc
those gallant and devoted men who
| fought to save the life OF the nation in
the perilous days of the great civil wal
| has always been OF the most liberal char.
acter Those men are now rapidly pass
| ing away. The best obtainable ofiicia
statistics show that they are dying at the
| rate of something over three thousand q
| month. and, in view OF their ADVANCING
years. this rate must inevitably. in pro
| portion, rapidly increase. To the mar
| who risked everything on the field OF bat
| tie TO save the nation in the hour OF 1t.
direst need. We owe a debt which has no.
| been and should not be computed in a be
grudging or parsimonious spirit. Blu