The Chitina leader., 1913-05-20
ALASKA, THE sroREHousE OF WEALTH

The Philadelphia North American published two column editorial the fore part of the month on the dawn of new era for Alaska by of the home policy that has been put into effect and the intention of the government to aid the development of of her richest possessions The following interesting and valuable excerpts taken from the article in question:
 Down in Washington congress is wrestling with the tariff The special session called for the express purpose revs ing the schedules with view to relieving the public from the excessive pressure of the of living The outcome is shrouded in doubt.
 And while the nation is watching the of events in Washington other things much certain to have ultimate and lasting results the cost of living happening thous ands of miles away the far Northwestern of the tnent It Is long journey from the District of Columbia to Alaska from the first soil governed directly by the federal power the last ta be governed the continent of Norl America And while the power of the nation eenters in the federal capital and the of the people toward it, what happening there have much less influence the future happiness and webeng of the people than what is happening in tlie great Northwestern domain.
 '' Alaska only many square miles of possession appealing merely national pride the change taking place would of large importance But Alaska is something more than appanage of the federal power is the vast almost untouched sorehouse of the people of the entire nation Uncouned and uncounabe billions of wealth lie hidden in its hills or haunt its waters.
 1t IS but short time since the notion all but universal that Alaska Arctic land cebound for twelve months of the year True great of Alaska within the Arctic ce But Alaska comprises 59000 square miles and the par ae that touches its southern boundary cuts through the north of England
 Alaska has arabic land than and New England combined In the days very long. II the southern part twilight lasts until hapas o'clock and the rises correspondingly early The result Is that tables very rapidly and mature in short
 The fisheries of Alaska will day be the greatest in the world Of gold the territory yields $100O00OO year One mountain of pure copper has already been operated by h eXpolter But how mounanc of copper the ter riory holds knows And copper essential to the sciences the precious metal of the future when the pres en feeble beginnings in electrical knowledge will have deve oped into an electrical age
 'That is problematca But the coal of Alaska sub jec of conjecture Literally mountains of crowd the waters edge To dig it out of the ground to shoot into boats n papn,O to dump the coal the Whaes of Charleston Boston, New York, Philadephia-who the meaning that to the man who $7O ton to the coal trust and whose only protection against further exoron the mex haustabe supply of coal Alaska still the property of the peo pie of the United States?
 And while aim9essy wrestes with the tariff Washington, faroff Alaska of momenOus possb ltles ranspre; and the beginning of feghted with vast significance for the entire nation is quietly usered n