The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1911-09-08
FISHER VISITS ALASKA.

thize with Alaska. Under the Pm
chot regime, Idaho, though state
was nearly throttled. Alaska, under
the dominion of an irresponsible
bureau, without representation, ana
six thousand miles from the seat OF
government, undoubtedly suffered
CALLING thralldom. The conserVa-
ton of the natural resources prop
uganda, gone wild, has been respon-
sible for fifty years delay in the
settlement and development Of the
west. No one knows what it has
done to Alaska.
Secretary Fisher of the Depart
ment of the Interior has just re-
turned from Alaska. He went to-
get frst-hand information on the
exact status of affairs. The know
ledge gained must be of a most in
different nature and yet Secretary
Fisher had his eyes opened. He
commences to gain a faint appre"
citation of Alaska and the cross she
bears. Mr.. Fisher, we believe, hon
estIy desires to promote the welfare
Of the country though he is tinctured
with virus of conservation fanati-
cism, and it will be a long time be-
fore Alaska will get her just deserts.
It was a grevious mistake when Sec
rotary Ballenger resigned. The
west was bereaved of true friend.
The Secretary of the Interior should
come from the west-yes from the
far west. Secretary Ballinger was
lsuch. He knew the conditions. He
knew Alaska, Idaho and Oregon,
Utah, Arizona and California. He
was of the west; knew the west and
lived in the spirit of the west. The
pioneer is he who knows what is
needed in the development of a
new country. Secretary Fisher may
learn. He has much to learn and
the west will pay for his learning In
retarded development.
i. We gather from newspaper inter.
views and accounts of his visit tc
Alaska, that his method of anchor
ating conditions in Alaska Is tc
lease the coal lands. If that Is the
total results of his visit to Alaska
we fear he has hardly commenced tt
grasp the situation. The coal lane
, proposition has been presented sim
ply because its absurdity as applied
: in Alaska is so easily apparent. AL
aska, like the rest of the west, ha
suffered and is suffering in a hun
! dred other ways from conservation
faddists. In Idaho 1t was conserVa
, ton of the forests that nearl
wrecked the commonwealth. Fou
years more of Roosevelt and Pincho
, would have completed the ruin
q They would have conserved Idaho t,
finish. Undoubtedly they had II
: mind the conservation or the sal
on the shores of the Great Salt Lake
O for their jurisdiction kenw n
4 bounds. The loose gold in the oceal
a was also mater of concern. Tn
4 oil of California, the gas of On
, tario and the hot air of Nampa wer
. in attention.
! We always hope for the best. Ell
= perience teaches us the foolishnes
q of hope, but nothing can stop u
o We hope that Secretary Fisher
! visit to Alaska will result in an az
y probation of true conditions; an
! an honest desire to see that the d.
, velopment of the territory be pei
" mitted. Secretary Fisher has
? great opportunity before him.
Is he can summon sufficient courage
tell the muckrakers to betake then
N selves to Fiddlers' Green and exc
N else his own best judgment, he wi
n have done world of good.