The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29
~ FRANKLIN X. LANE
Secretary Of the Interior,

w re have committed ourselves
\A/ 10 a new policy of develop
w ment in Alaska Instead OF
allowing the vast riches Of
that great territory to be exploited at
the haphazard will or whim of indi-
viduals and corporations intent only
upon quick and large profits for them
selves. We have set our faces to the
task Of developing Alaska and its re-
sources in a large. sane. conservative
name suited to the magnitude OF
the interests at stake.
As the first step in the new policy
we are going to build a railroad. This
decision and the building OF the rail-
road. however. are only the first steps.
In a recent message to Congress Pres
ident Wilson said Of the Alaskan rail-
road that It lis only thrusting in the
key to h storehouse and throwing
back the lock and opening the door.
How the tempting OF the
country are to be exploited is another
matter. The must be used,
but not destroyed or wasted; used,
bur not m~onopoliZed under any mar
row idea of individual rights as against
the abiding interest OF communities"
Practically all the land and natural
of Alaska are still the prop
erty of the people of the United States.
Until now We have only protected
these riches against monopoly and
waste and the most cumbersome de-
partmental machinery has sufficed.
Hitherto we have one little more in
Alaska than keep a few policemen
stationed at closed doors to prevent
breaking and entering. Now that we
are to open the doors We need more
thar a police force.
Our work there now is to be broader
and more complex. Mineral and other
resources must be opened to use. The
lands must be opened to settlement.
There must be such administration OF
the laws as will give prompt and
ready assistance. unhampered ty 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 max
ing OF homes and farms In h new
territory. To do this we must plan
and build systems OF roads and trails
to connect the railroads, seaports
farms and towns; we must plan the
location of towns and provide facili-
ties for settlement; fuel and power
must be made available o domestic
and Industrial purposes;
must be provided without discourage.
ment to settlement and industry ant
there should be no bar to efforts fol
simplifying and lettering taxation
methods.
There must also be new and simple
machinery for tho successful working
out Of this programme There mus
b organized administration of the
highest efficiency in order thai tn
abiding interest," OF tho people Of tht
United States may not only be FUN
protected and conserved. but that thu
development OF and indus
oses incident to tho opening of the ter
rtcry may be encouraged and regu'
lated with Justice to al and alont
tines carefully calculated to give TIT
greatest lasting good to tho creates
number.
Tho new policy 10 not 70 Invite q
few men TO exploit the cream o.
Alaska's riches but to develop all TIT
and possibilities OF the Ter
ritory tremendously for the best In
terests both Of the people who go Il
Alaska and the people OF the United
States, who own this great public do
main.
Alaska's problems are largely pecu
liar TO Alaska. Our present system o
government there is heterologous. In
steaA of one government in Alaska
we rave a number, i~nterlocked. over
Tapped, cumbersome and confusing
In their ~zealousness for the particuiaI
paris OF the public welfare which the!
represent the long distance represen
tatives OF bureaus located in Washing
ton are apt to lose sight OF the fac
hat they all represent the same inter
est and purpose.
There is a government OF the forests
a government of the fisheries, n o
tho reindeer and natives, another o
N" cables and kilograms. There IS
government for certain public land
ana forests, another for other iand
and forests. Each OF these govern
ments is intent upon its W particu
lar business. jealous Of its w success
and prerogatives. All are more o
less unrelated and Independent !
their operation.
Success OF the new policy depend
largely upon the administrations OF IN
mWs In the Territory. Experience ma
demonstrated that efficient admins
'rtt.On is best secured by centralizin
responsibility and authority In IN
hands Of a small number OF men VIII
can be held strictly accountable 10
tnclr actions.
The following statement Of tn
duties and responsibilities which vari