Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-01
Says Red Tape flinders De-
veIopment of Territory's
Resources.
WANTS A GENERAL BOARD
CONTROL GOVERNMENT
Numerous Bureaus in Washington
Now Exercise Authority Which
Frequently Conflicts.

Secretary Lanes report to Congress in
which he strongly recommends the c-ea-
ton OF development board to have COM
plete control of all governmental affairs
in Alaska connected with the natural re
sources and development of that terri
tory. attracted considerable attention at
the Capitol today. The proposed board
would consist of three members appointed
by the President its headquarters would
he In Alaska and 1t would do the work
now done there by the general land Of
fee. the forest service. the road commits
sion. the bureau of mines. the bureau of
education and the Secretary of the Int
rtor and a part of the work and author
ity OF the bureau of fisheries Measures
are now pending in Congress along the
was believed today that the Secretary's
report would give impetus to the enact
nent of the proposed legislation.
Secretary Lane in his report sharply
arraigns present red tape" methods in
the administration of government affairs
in Alaska. He points out that at present
each of at least score of government
bureaus in Washington has something to
do with the government of Alaska. result
ing in vast amount of red tape and cir
cumlocution in the administration of pub
lie AFFAIRS The Secretary cites instances
or delays OF several years in the handling
of uncomplicated land and other matters
which should have been disposed of.
cumbersome and Confusing"
Our present system of government in
Alaska is heterologous," SAYS the Secre-
tary- Instead OF one government there.
We have a number. interiocked. overlap
ped. cumbersome and confusing. Ex-
perience has demonstrated that efficient
administration Is best secured BY CEN
tral1zing responsibility and authority in
the hands of a few men, who can be held
to strict accountability for the results
of their action. The proposed develop
ment board for Alaska follows this mod
ern and well tested plan securing effl-
Gent administration.
In pointing out some of the red tape
caused by the present division and multi
plicat1on of authority in Alaska, Secre-
tary Lane cited the case of a citizen who
wanted to lease an island for fox farm
ing. The party carried on a CORE
spondence with three different depart
ments. for several months. in an effort
to learn which had jurisdiction and
finally decided. he said, that none of
them possessed the authority.
Revenues of the Territory.
The difficulty Of obtaining accurate in
formation as to Alaskan revenues and
disbursements on account of being
handled by SO many agencies Is pointed
out by the Secretary. who advocates a
budget system
Figures are given which showed that
while Alaskas receipts in 1913 were only
SSO2613. her expenditures were $50,
a deficiency which, in the Secretary
opinion. is by no means discouraging. and
one that might easily be overcome.
within very few years. az soon as con-
ditions are created which will enable set
tiement and development and produce
revenues says Secretary Lane, in con-
cusion
Practically all the lands and natural
resources of Alaska said the report,
ARE still the property of the United
States. Until now We have only pro-
tected these riches against monopoly and
waste. and the most cumbersome depart
mental machinery has sufaced- Hereto
fore we have done little more in Alaska
than keep a few policemen stationed at
closed doors to prevent breaking aho
entering Now that We are to open the
doors. we need more than ponce IorGe e.
Mineral and other resources must pc
opened to use; the lands must be opened
TO settlement.
Guard Against Monopoly.
There must be such administration Of
the laws as will give prompt and ready
assistance, unhampered by red tape and
unnecessary delays. to honest settlers,
while protecting fully the rights of the
nation against monopoly. fraud and
waste.
We are to encourage the building of
industries and commerce and the making
of homes and farms. In the new territory.
To do this, we must plan and build sys-
TENS of roads and trails to connect the
railroads. the seaports. towns and farms
We must plan the location Of towns and
provide facilities for settlement.
There must be new and simple ma
chinery for the successful working out of
this program The new policy Is not to