The Alaska daily empire., 1913-05-22


 many things We have failed, or come short of the ideals we have set up but the progress that has been made under the many hardships and han dicaps that only pioneer people can fully understand, have been such as to amply demonstrate the mettle of the men and women who are aiding in the developing and upbuilding of the Territory. .,
 "The history of Alaska is both old and new, but it's industrial story IS of such recent origin that it may be said to extend back little more than quarter of a century. And yet if we will reflect for a moment we shall find that much has been accomplished in that time. While the Alaska pan handle, even then gave promise of it's present importance, the great sec tions to the Westward were practi' cally unknown sixteen years ago Since that time towns have been biult, mines have been opened, rail roads have been constructed, and sub stantial progress made in other lines of human endeavor. Not much was known of the great interior country and Northwestern Alaska until 1897, and later, but there are now numer' out towns and prosperous communi- ties where once supposedly hostile Indians had their habitat.
 Unity of People Demanded.
 "These references are made simply to show that Alaska has made sub- stantial progress due largely to the sublime faith, courage, and persever- ance of the people who are today lay ing the foundation of an empire in the great country which in the time to come will be added to the of the States. The growth, progress and prosperity of Alaska de- mands unity of purpose on the part of it's people. When its vast propor- tions are considered one need not won der that sectional differences are like ly to manifest themselves; but the spirit of sectionalism should be dis couraged and in its place be culti. vated the idea that Alaska is our com mon heritage, and the welfare of each section should be the concern of all others. In this way we shall estab. fish and nurture an Alaskan spirit as broad. as great and as grand as the commonwealth in whose present and future greatness We all believe
 Rational Use of Resources
 "A residence of many years in this Northern country, during which have been able to acquire some knowledge of the potential possibilities of it's different geographical and Judicial di- visions convinces me that no fears may be entertained as to the status that Alaska will take among the nat ural wealth producing countries Of the world. The natural resources are here, and if that rational use be made of them, as it is believed will be the case, we may confidently expect that in the not distant future other pros porous towns and busy districts will arise in what is now the wilderness; and the towns now established will grow apace until they have become the busy metropoliees of their re- spective regions, and ten sof thous- ands will dwell in comfort and happi- ness where now is found only the si- lent of the primeval This Is no fanci- full picture, but rather plain predic- tion of the coming greatness Of the Territory when it shall have come in. to it's own by reason of the develop ment of the vast natural resources that bountiful Mother Nature has i'm planted in land and sea.
 Railroads Are Demanded.
 "The people of Alaska are a unit in the demand for additional railroad transportation facilities, realizing that it is only by this means that the great interior country can be opened to the which its promise war rants, and the coast and inland sec tions brought into close commercial relations. With the view of bringing about this result, bill has been pre- pared and introduced in the Congress providing for the construction and op eration by the Federal government of seven hundred and thirty-three miles of railroad from some point ol points on the coast, with connecting lines to the coal deposits of Boring river and the Matanuska. In this con nection it may be added that this proposed plan of railroad construc ton has been endorsed by the Secre tary of the Interior, and this being the case, it may be assumed that the Congress will pass the necessary leg islation by which these railroads vii be built and operated. As a corollar1 to the building of railroads will come the opening to development of tho coal fields for commercial purposes and such development must be al inestimable boon for all portions o the Territory.
 Resources Should Not Be Exploited.
 "The proper use of the lands anC the resources of the Territory com mends. itself to the people of Alaska None of these resources should be tn subject of waste or mere exploitation and due care should be taken to tn end that none be destroyed, this bein
 particularly true of the fishing indus try which is destined to assume ir creasing proportions with proper sr pervision and adequate conservation
 Alaska Needs Men and Capital.
 Tt will not be denied that flask
 offers opportunities to all people wh
 are seeking homes and the chance t
 improve their financial condition; an
 it is submitted that efforts should b
 made to attract hither some of tn
 many thousands who are annual
 leaving the United States to fin
 homes in the Canadian Northwes
 Alaska's agricultural possibilities ar
 attractive and with rightly directed e
 forts and with due encouragement o
 the part of the Federal and Territori'
 governments farming in Alaska shoul
 receive substantial impetus. flask
 needs men of brawn and brain to d