The Alaska daily empire., 1913-12-02
|'DeveIop Alaska" Keynote
 of Presidents Message

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The con- struction of the government railroads in Alaska and the development of the resources of that territory upon lines of practical expediency, and not up on elaborate and impractical theories, was the most important domestic fea- ture of the Presidents message, read l by President Woodrow Wilson 10 ! Congress today.
 Primary Presidential Nomination.
 Should the suggestions of the Pres dent be carried out, the quadrennial national political convention will do nothing more than frame the political platforms, leaving the President 10 be nominated by direct primary, without the intervention of nominating conven- tions. In this connection the mes l sage recommends that delegates Co conventions be composed of nominees : for Congress and nominees for vacant seats in the Senate, Senators whose | terms have not yet closed and candi- dates for President themselves. The idea being that in this manner plat forms will be framed by those respon- sible to the people for carrying them into effect.
 Unlock AIaska's StorehoUse. Of Alaska, the President said: "A duty faces us with regard to Alaska. which seems to be very pressing and very imperative Perhaps ] should say double duty, for it concerns both political and material development of the Territory. The people in Alaska should be given a full territorial form of government, and Alaska as a store house should be unlocked.
 Railways is the Key.
 The key to unlock that storehouse is system of railways. These the gov ernment should control in the inter est of all who wish to use them for the service and development of the country and its people. But the con- struction of railways is only the first step, it is the thrusting in of the key to the storehouse and throwing back the lock and opening the door How the tempting resources of the country are to be exploited is another matter to which I shall take the liberty from time to time of calling your attention. for it is a policy which must be worked out by we'll considered stages, not up on theory, but upon lines of practical lexpediency. It is a part of our gener- al problem of conservation.
 Must Use Resources.
 We must use the resources of the country, not lock them up. The re sources in question must be used, but not destroyed or wasted; used but not monopolized upon many narrow ideas of individual rights as against the abiding interests of the communities.
 That a policy can be worked out by conference and concession which will release these resources and yet not leopard or dissipate them, I for one have no doubt and it can be done on lines QS regulation which need be no less acceptable to the people and gov ernments of the States concerned than to the people and Government of the Nation at large. whose heritage these resources are. We must bend our counsels to this end. A common pur- pose ought to make agreement easy.
 Concerning Mexico. Concerning Mexico the President said: There is but one cloud on our horizon. That has shown itself to the south of us and hangs over Mexico There can be no certain pros pect in America until General Huerta has surrendered his usurped authority in Mexico Mexico has no government. The attempt to maintain one at the City of Mexico has broken down and a mere military despotism has been set up. It originated in the usurpa- tion of Victoriano Huerta who after brief attempt to play the part of i Constitutional President has at last cast aside even the pretense of his legal right and has declared himself Dictator But he has not succeeded. He has forfeited the respect and the moral support even of those who were at one time willing to see him succeed. Little by little he has been complete ly isolated. Little by little every day his power and prestige are crumbling and the collapse is not far away"