The Alaska daily empire., 1916-12-16
WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS

Occasionally the average Alaskan goes to sleep
 Then something happens which gives it's moral sensi
 bnites distinct shock. City ordinances directly
 and indirectly violated and little or no attention is
 paid to the infractons and less if possible, to their
 volators Slum districts found in every town Yet who cares? Ordinances passed for their reg ulation and how nfreQuently they enforced?
 There is in Alaska, as elsewhere. a disposition to either shift or evade responsibility in the enforce ment of law This disposition to pass the buck is not confined to the municipalities, either H is found in other branches of governmental admpistra- on the lower looking to the higher for action, and the higher expecting the lower do its duty. The municipal officials cannot in the nature of things, be unaware of the conditions therein existing If they are then are they blind either wilfuly ignor. antly We know of towns in Alaska and elsewhere as well, whose officials, and by this term is meant those upon whom is directly laid the burden of exc cutting the law who will admit for instance that boot logging is prevalent and blind pigs doing day light business Yet the condition is glossed with some piffing reason. or dismissed with a shrug of the shoulders which is equivalent saying "oh yes I know it. but let George do it." The truth is that they will not shoulder the responsibilities. Some friend might be injured would not like such bernie ious activity. might lose chance to make dollar or two. Is not this so3 Some of the towns that know of have ordinances prohibiting the carrying to- and sale of liquors in. their restricted districts How eitecuVely nave they been enIorced! Would anyone say that they have? Then if not, why not? Someone must know. And so, not only munich pal ordinances treated with contempt but the laws of the land as we'll The Federal government natural y does desire interfere. in any way. with the processes of the governments of municipalities. Such interference would be foreign the principle of home rule for the people of these towns and interference would be justfiabe only when the municipal authori- ties admitted by their neglect, that they inca pablo of governing their communities. and they are not likely to make such admission.
 What seems to have been most vicious murder was committed day two ago. in broad daylight it is believed in neighborng town, in section that has long been known for disorder and debauchery 1 That this atrocous crime perpetrated serves to show the axty of the laws enforcement in that dis trict; and this is said without any desire to single out this town object of criticism Other towns are quite probably just bad in this respect It is ] only. repeat when some crime of the ordinary has been committed that the people are aroused and reforms promised Literally. they are shocked nto action Alaskan towns duty to their citi- zenship Those in authority should see to it that they made clean places for the wives and children 'f the community to live in and grow up in. Winking It law evasons and deliberate attractions. condonng rice in any form, do not make for good citizenship ,r good government. What do you think about it?