The daily progressive-miner., 1916-09-25
]. 1. MCPHERSON ALASKA'S $ TRUE
 BOOSTER
Is Touring The Territory For Another Exhibit In Course of Preparation

J. L.. MtINciSDu. AldShd . be9t booster and by reason thereof manag CT of the Alaska Bureau of the Seat tie Chamber of Commerce, has just returned from atrip of the coast cities in an endeavor to rouse everybody's spirit to take opportunity and exhibit at the fair that is planned for early ill October in Seattle MT McPher- son in speaking to the Progressive. Miner this morning said:
 q find conditions to be prosperous at all sections and the people optimis- tic of future growth. Progress this year will exceed in every way that Of last year We anticipate total com =lneree of approximately $1O0.00O,O00 Wonderful progress iE the construct ion of the Government railroad has been made under the direction of Com missioner Frederick L. Mears, with his base of operation at Anchorage. By the end of October they will have from & to 90 miles of track laYed be- sides probably from to miles of siding and terminal tracks. Lieut.. Mears has perfected a most efficient organizat on which assures a success ful comp ,tion of Alaska's first Trunk railroad This will be most gratify- ing to al Naskans as it will stimulate them to the necessary efforts in se- curing a construction of the other lines of railroad, wagon roads, and other Government improvements, re- quisite to the greater development Of Alaska.
 We were all greatly disappointed that Congress did not enact a remed- tal legislation for the protection Of your halibut industry but this work is so far advanced thanks to the eff cient work of your able representa- tive IL C Strong. that there is no doubt in .ay mind but that Congress will quicl pass this legislation early iii the ne -e- :. You may be sure ol the most active support of the Al aska Bureau in this matter, which means a centering in Alaska com munities of an industry rightly yours and which is now being diverted to q foreign port. We are glad to see the competition due to the activities of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway as competition results in a healthy busi- Eess condition but it is only right thar they should be compelled to conduct this business in Alaskan ports insteal of boldly taking the business to the f,reign port of Prince Rupert They frankly stated their purpose in the in dLcements they have offered in or der to attract this business. In the first Order-in- Council, they stated why they are being offered, in that the American fishermen may be prevail ed upon to transfer their registry to Canadian Registry, and become citi- zens of Prince Rupert. These induce Mcnts are very much in line with the inducements the White Pass and Yu kon Route offered to the citizens of the City of Fairbanks in case they would aid in getting port of entry stationed at Fairbanks they said we will get your freight rates cut in two which they did, for one year, then they absorbed the rival line and shoy- eG the rates back to where they were formerly.
 You may be sure of all tte help that the Alaska Bureau can render in occurring a leeislation that will pro tect Alaskan resources and Industries fer the benefit of Alaskan communit- ies. Our one and only purpose is to l,elp and we hope that you will alV avs advise us of any opportunity that may arise where we can lend a helping hand. The Northwest Lands Exhibit ions is being held in Seattle from Oct 4th to 14th, and will offer a most ex cellent opportunity for publicity oi Alaskan resources. We hope the citi Zens of Ketchikan will send in col lection of exhibits of the resources ot this region. The Alaska Bureau vii be pleased to care for the exhibits ant ii agreeable will retain them for theil exhibit next year Otherwise we vii see that they are returned"
 MT McPherson suggests that peo pie having home grown fruit preserves take the opportunity offered by tho exposition for display of that whicl can be grown in the way of fruits il Alaska. Likewise vegetables of al kinds should be sent
 MT. McPherson is at the Revilla Ho tel but will leave tomorrow evening Any one desiring any information ma, GO well to see him.