The Alaska daily empire., 1916-01-10

whole, or have we permitted few Of our people to shape them for the bone 1t of the few? If, as has been urged in some quarters. Alaska is Gov ernment experiment station" then the archaic policies of the past, which have been inept and inefficient. should be entirely eliminated and such other policies adopted as wlll use the Ter. ritory's natural wealth in such man. ner as to avoid the mistakes of tho past.
 Business conditions throughout AL aska during the fiscal year just ended have been fairly satisfactory in all sections. There Is 8 spirit of optim. ism apparent. The people have faith in the country and are building homes and establishing permanent commun- it.es. They do not seek special fa- vors, but they want Q square deal" There ia still too much bureaucratic control and direction of the Terri tory's affairs and resources. Alas lkans do not desire to see these re- sources exploited for the benefit of the few. but they want them made available for all who will make legi- innate use of them. The official red tape which has been wound about nearly everything pertaining to the Territory has been such as to strang- le the efforts of the individual and subject him to injustice and handi- caps that have been both grievous and burdensome. All matters bear ing Q natural relation to Alaska should be administered from within 1t and not by Government bureaus thousands of miles distant
 During the year mining. fishing, commercial. industrial. and economic conditions are considered as having been fairly good. Poverty, as 1t is known in the congested areas of the States of the Nation, is unknown in Alaska. It's soil teens with natural products for mans sustenance. Wild fruits and berries of various kinds are abundant during the summer season, and vegetables may be grown at will. Game of many kinds Is plentiful, while many varieties of Ash may be had for the taking In sea, lakes, riv- CTS, and streams. Alaska, therefore, Is land of plenty and of opportunity, It invites the man of means. as well as the man whose brain and brawn are his only capital. Success awaits these if their efforts arc rightly dir ected.
 Alaska has four distinct seasons. spring, summer. autumn and winter are clearly defined. It is. therefore, one of the most healthfpl of countries. The Japan current modihes the cli- mate of the coastal regions, and there are seldom extremes of heat or cold. While the winter of the great inter- for is cold at times. the air Is rarened and exhilarating. and no more beaut.- ful summers can be found the world over Vegetable life is abundant and growth .s rapid. Grasses grow anl flowers bloom in wonderful luxur- lance, and all these bear striking tes- tlmony that Alaska Is capale Of and is d.s Ined to afford prosperous and happy homes for many people.
 With the actual work of construct ion of the Government railroad now under way, renewed interest Is being directed toward the Territory. This interest is not confined to any par ticular district, but nearly every sec ton Is feeling the impetus that has been given, industrially and conner cially. to the development of the Ter ritory's varied resources. Much pros pecting with promising results is be- Ing done along the linesof the rail- road and In other districts. There is an active demand for lands suitable for agricultural purposes. and farm ing communities have sprung up at various points. The greatest activity in securing farm lands at this time is shown in the vicinity of Anchorage and Knik on Cook Inlet and the Mat anuska Valley.
 Alaska has made marvellous pro- gress in the last 20 years. despite it's former isolation and lack of transpor- tation facilities. except by water In the important coastal regions and on the rivers of the interior. In several sections it's mines are being develop ed on an imposing scale, and It's fish, cries are still fruitful. notwlthstand- Ing waste. Its future promises to ex- ceed the expectations of the past. New hope has been given the people through the Intelligent interest that the present administration Is taking in the Territory, and 1t is not too much to state that the policy of the Government to unlock the door to Alaska's vast resources for the legi- ftimate use of the people is o long step forward in the development and upbullding of Q commonwealth that shall be second to none in natural riches. industries, and commercial and economic greatness.
 The report contains 116 quarto pages and was printed at the Govern ment Printing office, Washington. D. c. Attached to the report Is the 1914 report of Dr. Alfred II. Brooks. of the Alaska division of the United States geological survey. the annual report of Collector of Customs John F. Pugh, the statement of the Library and Museum Fund, showing receipts and disbursements. the official direct ory. federal and territorial, the news papers directory. the incorporated towns. and a number of acts or