El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-19

wv ASHINGTON, d. c., March 10
w The last census returns from
Alaska brought out the rather
startling information that the popula-
ton of the great northwest territory is
almost at a standstill. the increase fer
ten years falling below 500. With
land area Of 59O,SS4 square miles, or
nearly Onefifth the size Of all of CONT
mental United States the great PENN
sula which has been a possession OF
this country for nearly half a century
has a population of less than 5000 IN
GLIDING both natives and whites.
People interested in this territory
with its untold wealth of mineral, ag-
ricultural and forest resources are
growing more and more insistent IN
demanding information about the con-
ditiOns which are holding back deFeI-
opment. For the first time since 1857
when the stars and stripes were hoist
ed to replace the flag Of Russia, from
which secretary Seward negotiated the
Alaska purchase for S4,2OO,OOO there IS
a real movement to get something
done to assist in the Development OF
Alaska Congress is fairly awakened
to its duty toward the Americans or
the far northwest, and various meas
ures have been proposed to improve
conditions In the territory.
Richer Than Many Nations.
Alaska is richer in resources than
many countries which are world DOW
ers today 1t is in the same latitude
a the countries Of the scandinavian
peninsula-SWeden, Norway ana FIN
land, which have total population or
more than 10 000 00O- 1t has a mucn
better climate than these countries
more arabic land and has a much
greater area than the three countries
combined The territory has not been
developed like any one Of these coun-
tries, in spite Of its great resources
and natural advantages.
For Cuba, the Philippines, Porto Rico
and the Hawaiian islands the United
States has given careful attention 10
improving conditions in every line, but
Alaska, this country Oldest posses
sion outside Of the continental United
States, has been neglected to greater
or less degree ever since the day or /
its purchase. Little consideration mas
been given either to the government OF
Alaska or TO adequate legislation to
regulate the development of It's great
natural resources. The indifference OF
the United States towards Alaska and
the failure OF Congress to legislate Tor
the territory's improvement and deVeI-
Opment opened the way for the con- Z
troversies Of the last few years over
the control Of natural resources OF (
this northern country
Call on Government TO Act.
The movement 10 do something Tor I
the welfare Of Alaska is not controllers
ial at the present time, however Tor I
today there is a clear understanding /
OF the principal things to be done 70 [
provide the people with an adequate /
government and 10 open the way Tor 4
the development Of resources IN a /
manner to prevent monopoly. All men /
interested in the development OF Alas ]
ka are now calling to Uncle sam 20 /
do something, 20 get some KIND OF I
action which viii relieve present con 4
ditions and open the way for the fu- /,
ture development of the land which is I
so rich in natural resources that II I
has been called the worlds treasure /
house.
There are. il is agreed, three steps /
which this government must take TO +
better conditions namely, to give the f
people some measure Of local selt-goV- {
eminent, to better the transportation I
facilities and to provide some system .
of management for the coal fields, I
which are among the richest In the i
world. Which Of these three projects {
that there must be some action on 4
all three at an early date IS contenoed 4
by all interested people.
Has Paid For Itself Many Times.
Alaska has produced enough GOLD /
and silver TO pay for its purchase 20 (
times over. At the time 1t was taken 4
over by the United states secretary 4
Seward was criticized for negotiating /
its purchase, and the country Va
called Stewards folly for many years. /
The territory is estimated to have as I
much coal as all the United states, ana /
more copper than is contained In the
copper country Of both Michigan ana I
Arizona, combined. The development I
Of the mineral lands is largely depend Z
ent on adequate transportation fac1li- !
ties. and transportation Is depenoe-t 3
on the opening OF the coal fields and /
the adoption OF a definite policy on /
the part of the government. Better
TRANSPORTATION facilities viii give Alas
ka cheap native coal, and cheap coal /
will make IL possible to develop much /
low grade ore which is now wasted I
because it is not possible to smelt II 1
probably.
For the Improvement Of transporta-
ton conditions. the plan generality J
agreed upon and finding favor with
the administration forces, with con-
gress and with the officers of the ma
tiOnal conservation association, pro-
vides for the construction OF a gov
eminent owned railroad.
Secretary Fisher OF the department {
Of the interior and Clifford Pinchot,
on behalf of the National Conservation
association. have proposed a govern
ment owned railroad TO run from the
coast TO the coal fields and thence TO
the rich agricultural valleys and stock
ranges and beyond. With adequate I
transportation facilities and system
for the development and conservation
OF the natural resources, Alaska viii 4
have chance 10 grow as rapidly as
any other country where conditions are
similar.
And in the provision for both the I
development Of resources and improve
ment Of transportation facilities there /
is general demand for quick action, /
more tnsistent than at any time since I
November 20, 1873, ten years after the I
purchase from Russia, when William I