The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-14
Governor of Territory
Reports to Federal
Authorities on New
Development Policy
DECREASE IN THE
GOLDPRODUCTION
The Construction of Railroads by the
Government Would Be Means of
Opening to Development Much Land
Now Practically Inaccessible

Governor j. +. A. Strong, in his annual
report submitted yesterday to Secre.
tary Lane, urged that the government
exercise closer supervision for the con
servation of the territory's wealth of
fisheries, pointed out the need for the
construction of system of wagon
roads and trails to supplement govern
ment railroads and declared means must
be taken to stamp out disease among
the native population.
''With the promise that the future
holds,' said Governor Strong, land
the exact knowledge of the extent and
variety of the great mineral and other
resources of Alaska, coupled with the
new broad policy of development which
the government has inaugurated, Alas
ka, it is confidently believed, will here
after occupy an important place in the
mining, industrial and economic his
tory of the United States.
Exports More Than $61 100000
1t is estimated that there are now
$4,000 white people in the territory,
an increase of 5000 over last year s
estimate. The total value of the 1918
the total value of the products of the
Alaskan fisheries was $15,739 ,06S.
Both showed some declines from the
preceding year. The territory's com
merce in the last fiscal year showed
exports of more than SCI, 100000
a decrease because of lesser gold pro-
duction, while the United States sold
merchandise worth 21,929, 100 to the
territory.
Alaska S mineral resources, Governor
Strong said, awaited development to
restore some of the foreign supplies cut
off by the European war. Lack of an
adequate coal supply, he said, had re-
tarded industrial development. Con-
gress recently passed leasing bill to
open the coal fields in the far northern
territory.
Look for Increased Copper Production
Alaska s copper production, said
Governor Strong, sis now important
and promises to increase largely within
the coming years. Given supply of
coke which cannot now be had at prices
which make it available for industrial
use, the copper industry would be
greatly stimulated by the erection of
smelters for the treatment of the ores. -
The Governor said that the agricul-
tural possibilities of the territory are
beginning to be appreciated. There are
probably 50,000,000 acres of land suit
able for agricultural purposes, he said,
and millions of acres adapted for cat
tie raising and dairying. Outlining other
sources of natural riches in minerals
and forests, the Governor said the ter
ritory must ''present an inviting field
for the home seeker. for capital and
for labor, for men of brain and Drawn
such as have caused the great West to
bloom and blossom
More Money for New Roads and Trails
1.-The construction of railroads by
the governments, the Governor added
Twill be a means of opening to develop
ment vast extent of territory now
practically inaccessible, but which is
known to possess great possibilities
from mineral and agricultural point
of view. | wish TO emphasize here
however, what supplementary to rail
roads, and as producers of added tom
mage for railroad transportation, there
should be largely increased appropri-
alton by Congress for the construction
and maintenance of new roads and
trails. -
Natives Not as Healthy as Whites
Health conditions among the white
people Of Alaska, said Governor Strong
continue to be excellent. "Among the
native population, however, diseases of
various kinds are widespread, this being
especially true in remote sections, in
some parts of southwestern Alaska and
the eastern shore of Bering Sea where
such things as sanitation and hygiene
are unknown he added. "Tuberculo-
sis is the principal disease, and there
is no doubt that if not eradicated, in
the near future, it win exterminate the
natives well within the present cen
tury."
Governor Strong said that during the
summer, the Rev. J. H. Condit, an
Alaskan missionary, visited native vii
lagos of southwestern Alaska and the
eastern coast of Bering Sea-
Condition Among Natives Horrible
''He described conditions among the
natives in those sections as little short
of HORRIBLE" the Governor said. ''Dis-
ease, suffering and death are every
where apparent, neither age nor sex be-
ing exempt. Sanitation and hygiene in
any form are absolutely unknown; lit
tie medical relief can be obtained, nor
are there hospitals to care for the sick
and diseased. DR.. Condit found children
four and five years old who had never
learned to walk; they were victims of
disease and neglect, of hunger, dirt and
cold.''
Missionary societies could not cope
with those conditions, Governor Strong
said. He urged the establishment of
well-equipped hospitals and the educa-
tion of the natives in sanitation and
hygiene.
Fisheries Industry Victim of Neglect
The fisheries industry, second in i'm
portance to mining in the territory,
"calls loudly for the protecting care
of the federal government, Governor
Strong declared. cit has been and still
is the victim of neglect, and this neg
lect is directly attributable to the in
suficiency of funds to employ the ne
eessary personnel to enforce the laws
and regulations for the protection of
the fisheries and for their proper su-
pervision and extensions. Flagrant vio-
lations of these laws on the part of