The Alaska daily empire., 1916-03-27

The bin giving Che exclusive right to Congress to tax tho fisheries of Alaska ought not to pass It IS urged that there should be taxing powers f so let the Federal government retire from the taxing busi ness and give the power where 1t belongs-to the Ter ritory of Alaska
 This whole matter with all the other proper powers of local government should be turned over to the Ter rory Of Alaska This is provided for In the full Ter r,torai form Of government bill that was introduced in Congress by Delegate wickersham, and that bil should pass It should be made the paramount piece of proposed Alaskan governmental legislation and should be put through Congress. IL could be put through if the Delegate would give the support that t deserves
 But whether the full Territorial form of govern nent bin passes or not at this session the bill giving the Federal government the sole right to levy taxes on the fisheries industry should pass In making this statement The Empire does not approve of the posi- on of many of those who seem desire to place the
 main burden of government In the North the capital engaged in this most important industry nor does agree with the harangues that hear 80 often from those who abuse the Fish Trust" The fisheries in- dustry and the capital invested in 1t are entitled to the some consideration as any other industry of the North and those who are interested t. have aided mater alv in the development of the country. We should be glad that capable and enterprising have come up here and invested their money and talents in that in dus,ry just as we should be glad that other capable and enterprislng men have devoted their money and talents in opening our great mineral deposits Both have given employment to labor and opened avenues Of trade to those engaged in all manner of legitimate business In the North
 But the people of Alaska should be permitted to run Alaska and The Empire believes that they can be depended upon to do 1t in a that will be fair and just to all It believes that demagogues and poitt cal schemers and men with grouches are In minority in this Territory It believes that honest appeal to the people of the Territory for fair play will result in square dealing always.
 The people of Alaska cannot run the Territory if inc power to levy taxes to support the government is taken away from them.
 it may also be admitted that the taxes levied by che Territory have been out of proportion to the benefits
 that we get from our makeshi Territorial form of gov e-nment and that among the industries that taxed too highly is the fisheries industry But believe that the adjustment may very well be left to the Territorial Legislature And the time is coming when the people of this Territory win have the powers of full Terri toriai form of government. because time Alas kans win elect as Delegate to Congress man who believes in and who will be to American princi pe O, government and to the best traditions of Amer can history f we had such government now there would be no chance for such a bill that now pend ing in Congress- It probably would never have been submitted to Congress if Alaska had the kind of government that prevailed in the other Territories or that prevails in Hawaii