Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-19
PROBLEMS OF ALASKA.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

The last census returns from Alaska
brought out the rather startling informa-
ton that the population of the great
northwest territory is almost at stand
still. the increase for ten years falling
below 500 With a land area of 59O,SS4
square miles. or nearly one-fifth the size
of all of continental United States, the
great peninsula, which has been a pos
session Of this country for nearly half
| a century, has population of less than
5000, including both natives and whites
People interested in this territory with
its untold wealth of mineral, agricultural
and forest resources are growing more
and more insistent in demanding informa-
ton about the conditions which are hold
ing back development For the first time
since 1867, when the Stars and Stripes
were hoisted to replace the flag of Russia.
from which Secretary Seward negotiated
the Alaska purchase for 1920 600, there
is real movement to get something done
to assist in the development of Alaska
Congress is fairly awakened to its duty
toward the Americans Of the far north
west, and various measures have been
proposed to improve conditions in the
territory.
Alaska is richer in resources than many
countries which are world powers TODAY.
1t is in the same latitude as the countries
of the Scandinavian peninsula-Sweden.
Norway and FINLAND, which have a total
population of more than 100000 1t
has much better climate than these
countries. more arabic land and has q
much greater area than the three coun-
tres combined. The territory has not
countries, in spite of it's great resources
and natural advantages.
For Cuba. the Philippines, Porto Rico
and the Hawaiian Islands the United
States has given
oldest Possession careful attention to
Most Neglected. d m IN evary n0n-
but Alaska, this countrys oldest posses
sion outside of the continental United
States, has been neglected to a greater
or less degree ever since the day of it's
purchase. Little consideration has been
given either to the government of Alaska
or to adequate legislation to regulate the
development of its great natural re-
sources. The Indifference of the United
States toward Alaska and the failure of
Congress to legislate for the territory's
improvement and development opened
the way for the controversies of the last
few years over the control Of natural
resources Of this northern country.
The movement to do something for the
welfare of Alaska is not controversial at
the present time, however, for today
there is clear understanding of the
prlnclpal things to be done to provide
the people with an adequate government
and to open the way for the development
OF resources in a manner to prevent mo-
nopoiy: All men interested in the devel-
opment OF Alaska are now calling to In
Gle Sam to do something to get some
kind OF action which will relieve present
conditions and open the way for the fu-
ture development of the land which is so
rlch IN natural resources that it has been
called the worlds treasure house
There are, it is agreed, three steps
which this government must take to bet
ter condltions-namely, to give the people
some measure of local self-goyernment
to better the transportation facilities and
to provide some system of management
Tor the coal fields, which are among the
richest in the world. Which of these
three projects rank first is a matter of
opinion, but that there must be some ac-
ton on all three at an early date is con-
tended by all interested people
Alaska has produced enough gold and
silver to pay for it's purchase price twen
ty-five times
Development Depends over. At the
on Transportation. tan e oror " hS
the United States Secretary Seward was
criticised for negotiating its purchase,
and the country was called Stewards
Folly" for many years. The territory
is estimated to have as much coal as all
the United States, and more copper than
is contained in the copper country of
both Michigan and Arizona combined.
The development Of the mineral lands is
largely dependent on adequate transpor-
tation facilities. and transportation is de-
pendent on the opening of the coal fields
and the adoption of a definite policy on
the part of the government Better