The Chitina leader., 1911-12-02
LET'S GET TOGETHER" is THE SLOGAN


At the public meeting last night Judge Wickersham dele
gate Congress thoroughly mbued with the get to-
geer spirit of the day. He started out with the declaration
that the time had arrived when all forces should unite in
harmonious effort to achieve results And he ended in an
appeal his friends join him in the endeavor to bring about
the desired attainment He expressed willingness and an
invitation that the Alaska Syndicate and should
be good and enter the of the hitherto hostile forces and
he expressed the desire that he and his followers might be
greeted friends and reasoned WITH with the result that all
dscordent elements might thrash out their differences in
spirit of rendness with the end in view. He
stated that the time had arrived when must
give way the natural trend of the combined forces that
uniting upon certain demands for Alaska.
He recognized that the coal question present the
vital consideration that involved Cordova and Southwest
Alaska He believed that the sentiment crystazng
throughout the country favor of leasing bill for this
tory He had opposed such before and in principle
believed it to be wrong but if reasonable bill be presented
and would that nothing better could be secured he
would not oppose it. On this question he differed from his
friends Fisher Pondexter and Pnchot and by inference
agreed with the views of the Guggenhem whom he said
opposed leasing Neither did he have much faith
in the government paenal ownership and operation of rail
roads and coal mines contrary to all his ideas of
gresson and individual effort and yet if that feature with
reference to limited part of Alaska is to be advocated by the
administration and likely to meet with the favor OF
Congress, he would not enter any vigorous protest
He believes that Alaska in addition to its present executive
and splendid judiciary system should also have elective
legislature that local legislation might be enacted and such
abuses the unlimited of attorney location of claims
be abolished He had introduced bill that had been favorab
reported by committee with few amendments and he be-
eved that would be enacted into law at the present session
of Congress- And he furthermore thought that the Alaska
Syndicate and all their friends should assist in the passage Of
such The delegate pointed out that in all prob
ability Alaska would under the jurisdiction of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, and thus the railroads. if
they had inclination ask exhorbant freight would
be prevented from doing He paid tribute to the
that caused the construction OF the OOOO railroad by the
Copper River Northwestern railway and hoped to it
extended to his home town of Fairbanks.
And he further expressed the hope that head officials and
fcOff
people Of this section and thus aid in the upbuldng and fur
Their development of this rich country and the good
will Of the people generally by treating with them with fair
And he further nmated strongly that while they
good railroad they had employees who
mighty poor politicians The judge pointed out the great
necessity for transportation. 1t is vital force the develop
men OF the territory He went at length into the leasing
Of the seal ookeres which resulted in the taking of $OO00
urs from and the canning industry that has
racted $10O00000 from the salmon streams He also went
into brief discussion OF other matters with political flavor
While the Daily Alaskan has not agreed with the delegate
in the past and not in accord with of his present views
vet heartily agreed with him in the get together
continent and have present criticism to make of part
of address that seemingly uttered in spirit of
citation There will always be differences of opinion regard
Alaskan affairs but if all bitterness be obberated and
willing to accord to the other reasonable degree of
honesty and sincerity of purpose Alaska and all Aaskans
would be the gamer We have heard and read many of the
speeches of Judge Wckersham, but have hesancy in
saying that judgment his effort last night the best
political speech he has uttered.
1t was we'll tempered without vndctiveness with ap-
parent attempt to Destroy but rather put forth in spirit OF
harmony with desire forgive and be forgiven and to
cement spirit of aggressive activity upon mutual under
standing deliberate personalities and unite for the
psment those things that for the good of the territory
and tend to the happiness and prosperity of her people
If Judge Wckersham be sincere in his present professions
and shall continue in spreading this gospel of good will and
good fellowship in the various localities of Alaska and
Washington and if political friends and foes of the present
shall honestly strive unite all differences in the big aim
of securing desired results for Alaska would all be much
happier and more prosperous people
WILL 4. STEEL.