The Alaska daily empire., 1915-05-24
ZEFCHIKAN MAN WOULD GUT OFF
 FIRST DIVISION

Forrest J. Hunt, Of hetchikap' Mrit'
 ing in the Ketchikan Progressive. fa-
 yors the separation of Southeastern
 Alaska from the remainder of the Ter
 ritory. His article follows
 On Friday night, May 17th' instant
 there was grand turnout of our
 citizeus to listen to the reports Of Son ator Sulzer and Representative Heck man. of their accomplishments and failures at the session Of our Alaska Legislature just closed The attitude
 of the other divisions of Alaska to-
 ward the First is such as to make o7t position most unfortunate, to put the case very mildly. Southeastern Alas ka, with its enduring and boundless resources to induce and maintain 8 vast population is under present con ditions and circumstances. compelled by the powers of the superior numeri- cal streneth Of the other divisions to contribute to their support. Although the law regarding the expenditure of the Forest Reserve fund set aside for distribution in the various states and territories is clearly defined as be- longing to the political subdivisions in which it IS collected simply because of the technical fact that Alaska is divided into divisions instead of coun. ties. and they had the votes to do it, the members Of the other divisions voted with conscienceless effrontery to rob us of money to which we are clearly entitled Of upwards of ESQ., O00.O0 collected in and. hence. belong ing to the First. our friends of the other divisions voted S45,000.00 as theIr plunder. to be divided among themselves. Of course the members of this division would not quietly sub init to such robbery and have taken steps to have the matter adjusted by the courts, and what is worse it caus' es such a delay. and has has aroused general suspicious that we cannot ex- pect fair treatment from the other sections of Alaska. Their resources, conditions. and mutual relations be- ing more closely identified it becomes apparent that ouar interests are to suffer whenever they are inimical to their concerted desires. so long as we remain in the same family so, as Sen ator Sulzer said. it is time for us to get divorce. The sooner South eastern Alaska becomes a separate Territorial organization the better it will be for all concerned. I is now is obvious that to continue under the present organization means future strife and contention over conflicting interests which is certain to arouse better feelings and antagonisms which can be avoided. only division ofl the Territory. Southeastern Alaska has the resources and the class of people to organize a progressive Ter ritory that will soon come to state hood. with resources and the needs similar throughout the district. AS we are to pay the heavier burden of tax ation it is essential that we should unite in our efforts for separation from the more northerly portion of the Ter ritory
 With a Territory bounded as nature intended we win better agree and pro. gress. and the bone of contentinon. which is certain to create factional ill- feelg so long as we remain united in our form of local government. will be removed. We will be better neigh bors than different families under one roof.
 Let the sentiment grow and crys- talize.