The Alaska daily empire., 1915-09-10
sEcrIoNALIsM

The Inneau Empire again takes issue with the Gateway in relation to the forest fund which the Legislature decided should be divided equal iv between ali the four divisions of the Ter ritory The Empire deprecates tho assertion that the First Division is sectional in lts sus- gestion to divide tho Territory and states that speaking of such dividing is not meant as threat at all but as a suggestion which for the benefit of all divisions might be followed. At least this is the impression left after reading the editorial of the Empire and without refer ring directly again to it, but what is particu- larly desired here is Go speak of another state ment In the Empire editorial to the effect that The Gateway's assertion that the other diyis- ions should share dity-ffty the monies deriV- ed from a forest in the First is not upheld by nnv argument The Empire in other words. cannot see why this paper should say that this or any other division besides the tirst could have contributed to funds from forest in the Juneau division.
 The Empire has evidently not grasped the argument put forward 5y this paper. which may be the fault of the manner in which tho Gate way expressed itself. and the argument will, therefore. be repeated in the most direct and simple manner possible
 The development of each division in the Territory has aided the development of the oth- er For instance if no Kondike rush had talk en place and n the resulting peopling of the other parts Of Alaska had not materalized the First Division would not be as prosperous as it is today and would not have the population which it now enjoys. so therefore. no such amount of money would have come rom the Tongass national forest reserve. The fact real lv might have been that nothing but the Tread well mine would in operation were it not for the advertising given all Alaska by the Nome Fairbanks and other rich strikes following the Klondike or course. the other divisions owe at least as much to the First Division. but that does not lessen the debt of Juneau which should particularly take into account the fact that 1t had been elevated to @ capital the seat of the Legislature and the headquarters of various of fcials by the development of other parts or Aaska-development which could, by the way be flrthered by having as much money as pos sibie for road building.
 Both Juneau papers have recently repro duced another article from this paper, com menting on the statement of Commissioner Thomas Riggs that newspapers should not be- come too local" Why do they not take this advice to heart and look beyond the rest of Alaska. The Territory can never hope to gain anything 1T it becomes split up into warning camps Once again let it be said that each Di vision in Alaska owes something to the other It may not be @ debt that incurred by the payment of actual hard cash but it is a debt nevertheless. and a debt of honor that should not be repudiated because geographical lines or some other technicality furnish us with an excuse Seward Gateway)
 The Gateway still misses the point. The Ft vision Is not sectional No part of Alaska has wo harder or done more for @ united Alaska. Sou astern Alaska has never asked for a single cent he Alaska road appropriations that have aggregat 1.5oOOOO. She has willingly surrendered all claim our-nfths of approximately s75OOOO that she has e ributed to the road funds through the license taxi avs. She labored hard and earnestly to aid in sec ng ss5OOOOOO for a railroad in the Third and Foul Divisions. She has supported in every way poss he movement to secure a governmental appropriat { s1OO0O.00O for wagon and automobile roads to ser 8 feeders for that railroad She has always cont uted Mberally to the aid of other sections of Alas he will continue on this course.
 In view of these facts 1t is unjust to say q outheastern Alaska is Quarreling over paltry S5O' rom the Tongass National forest. It is the princi md the precedent that concerns Southeastern Alas This fund is a tax on the resources of First Divis oil and was created by Congress for the benefit of oun,ry in the immediate vicinity of the forest as for the damage done to that country by crest.
 The Empire is not in favor of the division of ska. and has said so. But 1t also has said that ction Of the other Divisions in misrepresenting first Division and in taking away from 1t the prod f It's own soil. is developing sentiment in favor he division of Alaska. The sentiment is based UT belief that the other Divisions do not understa Southeastern Alaska. and their politicians and news ers are promoting the misunderstanding
 That the Gateway has taken its position in gt aith is unprecedented That other newspapers bell, IS it does is also probable That is what makes ituation disheartening.
 The Juneau papers are not local" in the SCI hat the Gateway would have 1t inferred. though u yin defend their section of Alaska when it is . and unfairly dealt with