The daily Alaskan., 1911-12-27

The following article taken from the Chitina Leader on November 25, in Cordova during his speech making campaign in the Westward Cites, previous to his sailing for the East [ where he win attend the session Ot Congress.
 "I come to talk to you tonight as a representative Of the people of ! Alaska and not as politician. I come to talk to you as friend and
 .ot as an enemy c0lae Jo roik '" each one about his own business. To railrosd peop,e. to merchants, 10 city folk and to rough necl1s' alike. l Each is in the territory Of Alaska to better his conditions. Each Is in- terested in this great question which now threatens the development Of AL asla.
 POT more than three years the development of Alaska has been ] threatened. In the last three years we do know it has been going back wards. We want coal in Alaska and opportunities given to every man to go into mining, fishing, logging, railroads Into any line Of pursuit to make success. How many men have been successful How many men have grown rich out of the de velopment Of Alaska? You can count them on the fingers Of one hand This Is the reason why peo- ple have not built cities. The reas- on now barring us from success. | am not on the platform to abuse the big intreests as the big interests are suffering alike. I think the time has come when we have been driven to that point where all must stand to- gether and work as aulit
 You are interested in Cordova particularly in the matter oi coal. You had a tea party at the wharf which demonstrated to the world
 hat you wree interested in the matter. You are interested in the opening of the Katslla coal fields If it is not developed your stores will be closed. You will be obliged to move your families to a region where development can go forward You nav not approve of the big interests bu- the time has come to untte to eadeavor to secure for you the de velopmnet of this particular region
 .T do not mean to criticise MT. Fishers policy. l know him to be s brave high-minded gentleman A man os courage and who believes the leasing system is the proper thing for Alaska PinchOt is a good man and desires to benefit hte territory. Poiudexter is the same, but do not agree with these three gentlemen in their efforts to put the leasing sys- tenn Of coal lands upon the people of this territory. In my judgment the leasing system will ruin Cor dova Ii it win have that effect it ought to engage the most earnest attention. If 1t will result in the arrest os development it ought to sscape the attention Of every man. There should be no politics, no narty feeling of any kind
 "Nr Fisher had before him and examined the S3 Cunningham claims and declared that there was frand. l He made aa order setting aside the sale and the land reverted to the government 2S5 more claims are to be examined and may be declared forfeit Claims would not be leased by anyone in the meantime as there was litigation. What will you do during these years at Cordova7
 MI Fisher proposes to go e ] little farther He proposes in good faith to build a railroad from Sew ard to the Matanuska coal fields and extend it to the great uavigable rivers Of the interior. will support lit The time has come to lay aside ! principle and build railroads to de velop the country. Tn principle I am opposed to the government owning and operating mines and railroads It is sociaHst5c in idea and this kind Of paternalism should not be iuaugu1 ated in Alaska But if jt Is the desire Co have such bin I will not oppose H
 'In principle I am not i1 favor Of the leasing bill If they put ID a l fair leasing bin shall not work against it. But a good leasing bill is better than we have had hereto ! fore But ln my judgment a leas-