The Alaska daily empire., 1915-06-24
ALAsKA.E sEM.cENrENNIAL

(Aaska and Northwest Mining JournaD
 on March 24 1917. fifty years will have elapsed since the purchase Alaska from the Russian govern ment and 1t is proposed to httiugly commemorate the event with national celebration Congressman Kahn. of California in speech at Seattle proposed that the semicenteunia be held in that city to extend over a week and to consist of historic paegants on land and water This idea was immediately taken up ana eii- dorsed by the Postnteligencer who published the op- nons of over thirty of Seattes prominent citizens warmly supporting the enterprise careful perusai or these letters show that very few Of these gentlemen have given any consideration to Alaskas right or de- sires in the matter In great majority of the Views expressed Seates interest in the matter s we regret to say apparently the first consideration In one n- stance was suggested that the matter be left to the judgment of the people of Alaska and an ardent sup porter of Alaska at all times Maurice D. Leeney' pro posed that the main event be held in the country whose acquisition was to be celebrated.
 The Alaska and Northwest Mining Journal believes this is eminenty right and proper II the country IS valuable enough to justify national celebration or the seicentennia anniversary Of its acquisition by the United States and no one will dispute that there is certainly some spot in the Territory where 1t can be properly staged by its own people
 Tn the opinion of the Journal this is Seattes grand opportunity to unselshly assist the people of Alaska to hold this celebration in the country most interested Let sufficient celebration be held here to add to the ad- versng pull simply point to Seattle as the gate way to Alaska and then let effort be concentrate ed toward the end that every tourist who comes this far continues on to the main event. The arguments that can be brought to bear numberess Reduced fares can be given. the wonders of the inside passage than which there is nothing more beautiful in the en- tire world can be properly exploited. side trip to the beautiful and interesting city of Sitka Aaskas for mer capital could be made to say nothing or the op porunity it would present to thousands of prospective settlers to the country.
 If the celebration held at Seward 1t is barely possible that the construction of the road could be hu red and an opportunity given to see the city of Fair banks In any event great deal of the interior could be seen The city Seward presents some strong at fractions for celebration of this nature There is no more fitting spot Gods oostooi for water pageants than Resurrection bay and the lay of the ground around Seward lends its self admirably to the sort of historic pageants that would be appropriate to this celebration
 By holding the event here also an opportunity would be given to see practically all of the coast cities
 This is Alaska's great opportunity to get people into the country to see for themselves what opporuni ties she has for the settler
 We feel assured from the character of the gentle men whose opinions on the matter were given out n the Postnteigencer that on mature consideration they will be the strongest opponents of the idea that this is Alaska's celebration.
 We have no choice to the point at which tho semicentennia is to be held. but let it be held in Al aska by the Alaskans with the unselfish support o Seattle its great beneficiary