Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-07-27

had. It's only significance Is the Hight
II throws on the bitterness and venom
of some Of these who take active part
In every discussion Of Alaskan issues
The intensity of their desire to be,
smirch all who invest I'm that district
and all who are officially connected
with it's administration operates upon
the minds Of weak human instru-
ments and prompts the fabrication Of
such false testimony as this post
script. | dislike to dwell upon this
feature of the case, but 1t is so full of
a lesson that ought to be taken to the
heart of every patriotic citizen that /
cannot pass 1t over in silence.
When made this order / was aware
that the condition of public opinion I'm
reference to investments In Alaska.
famed by charges Of fraud, some well
founded and others of an hysterical
and unjust or false character, would
lead to an attack upon 1t and to the
questioning Of my motives I'm signing
II. remarked this when I made the
order. and 7 was not mistaken. But
public officer when he conceives 1t his
duty to take affirmative action In the
public interest has no more right to al
low fear of unjust criticism and attack
to hinder him from taking that action
that he would to allow personal and
dishonest motives to affect him. 1t is
easy in cases like this to take the
course which timidity prompts and to
do nothing, but such a course does not
inure to the public veal.
am in full sympathy with the con
Germ Of reasonable and patriotic men
that the valuable resources Of Alaska
should not be turned over to be exploit
ed for the profit of greedy. absorbing
and monopolistic corporations or syn
dicates. Whatever the attempts which
have been made. no one. as a matter
of fact. has secured in Alaska any I'M
due privilege or franchise not COM
pletely under the control Of congress-
/ am in full agreement with the view
that every care. both in administra ton
and in legislation, must be observed to
prevent the corrupt or unfair acquisi-
ton Of undue privilege. franchise or
right from the government in that dis
trict. But every one must know that
the resources Of Alaska can never be-
come available either to the people OF
Alaska or to the public Of the United
States unless reasonable opportunity Is
granted to those who would invest
their money to secure a return proper
tionate to the risk run in the invest
ment and reasonable under all the cir
cumstances.
On the other hand. the acrimony of
spirit and the intense malice that have
been engendered in respect of the ad-
ministration of the government in
Alaska and in the consideration OF
measures proposed for her relief and
the wanton recklessness and eager
ness with which attempts have been
made to besmirch the characters OF
high officials having to do with the
Alaskan government and even of per-
sons not in public life present q con-
dition that calls for condemnation and
requires that the public be warned OF
the decentralization that has been pro-
duced by the hysterical suspicious Of
good people and the INSCRIPTIONS and
corrupt misrepresentation Of the
wicked. The helpless state to which
the creduity of some and the malev-
client scandal mongering of others
have brought the people of Alaska in
their struggle for its development
ought to give the public pause, for IN
til juster and fairer view be taken
investment in Alaska, which is neces-
sary to its development, will be i'm
possible, and honest administrators
and legislators will be embarrassed in
the advocacy and putting into opera
ton Of those policies in regard to the
territory which are necessary to its
progress and prosperity.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
The White House. July 20. 1911.