The Cordova daily times., 1916-12-13
WHY WILL NOT .CONGRESSHEED

te annual report of the governor of Alaska received in today ma the great handicap territory is aborng under poeo out to the secretary of the interior in the following forceful manner:
 little research shows that Alaska until within the past dozen years or ess received little consideration by the govern lhet except Ill the casual and haphaZd way By this is meant that there has been distinct lack of interest shown. ~ inter st as has been taken has nearly always general and not particulars It has been merely academic Restriction rather than privilege has been abundant Its people have been oII what they must not do rather than encouraged make the best legitimate use of their opportunities Reservation was too long apparently the only end sought to be accomplished There is still too much of 1t for safe progress and devconen Therefore the territory angishes when should flourish it Sta@nates when should show strong vrty For Alaska has all those natural resources that essential foundation stones of great commonwealth It has god silver copper coal tin ron gypsum, lime, graphite marble o antimony and many other minerals in abuance has the fisheries of the world; Its water powers practically mtoucod it's uIs since attracted the attention of the world and have produced mlons its agricultural potentially great and its timber is not inconsiderabc It has diversified climates n the coastal sections the climate equab there being Xrrmes of heat cold in the interior regions the sum mer season dry and the winter is dry and the pre- npaton being much lower than the It one of the most hoaltul countries of the word vcgrtaon except in the extreme northern regions uNuan and rapid Nearly variety of hardy vegetables and in abnnd ance the plains and patea~ of the interior found extensive in and in great abunancp in the valleys and more mountainous sections, fine agricultural and Is iound suitable Tor farm and daNng purposes; and ,peakng generally Alaska is ayorah situated cmacaIy the Scandinavian peninsula If ali t> natural resources, in luling agricultural dcvIopc they would bt found
 
 much smaller in have population in of 0O00O0o has taken Alaska nearly fifty years achieve white popu- aton of not than 5000O souls Of course Scandinavia has the advantage of years but Alaska offset with ral wealth and opportunity.
 And all s.weah of natural has been scarcely touched, although the land have already yielded quarter of billion dollars and the almost if up much. Alaska needs people who able and willing work those who able to breathe life into stone, quicken rock it offers splendid opportunities for the investment of capital and the consequent employment of abor il welcomes an independent efrcant citizenship; needs home builders and it offers them that Independence that achieved by honest labor and mtelgently directed effort II would be within the confines of truth say that Alaska presents difficulties to the investor to labor Nothing that > worth while k achieved without o mental or physical Alaska not try of tropical mould ii is and rugged in exterior rather than mild and benevolent; it k country wherein k ccrecd that the strong and the healthy shall ud the weak nd incompetent faiI if not perish. He who would find wealth i'll its gold acers quartz lodes, work for it he who would reclaim the wilderness and make bud and bo~on scape hardship To make the land produce crops nucn toll and patience required but be done, and in the it will be done and Alaska will be noW not only d mining and fishing country but agricultural domain, with happy and prosperous people attached permanently to the soil