Douglas Island news., 1917-03-09
ANNIVERSARY
 OF PURCHASE
Gigantic Alaskan Celebration to Ex- tend from Seattle to All
 North Coast

A late issue of the Seattle Post Imtclllgeneer says:
 Elaborate celebrations by citizens and visitors in Alaska cities, in which an official party Of tourists, mclud- ing a special delegation of eighteen United States senators and fifteen representatives will join, gay water carnival here by tho Seattle Yacht Club, followed by cruise to Northern waters these are impor- tant features in a program now be- i'm. arranged by tho Alaska ouroau of the Seattle Chamber O. Commerce land Commercial Club iu observance next summer of the semi centennial of the purchase of Alaek1.
 The plan as far as it relates Co the Alaska tour was decided upon by the Alaska communities when the Alaska bureau Of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Commer- ciaI Club sent representative through that territory to learn the wishes Of the Alaskaus as Co how they desired to celebrate this event, SO that Seattle could cooperate and lend every assistance possible to make it a big success. AS the nego tiauons for the purchase of Alaska extended about six months, begin ming in March. fifty years ago, and ending in October. it was decided that Che plan as outlined would be Che most fitting and obtain the hest results.
 With this end in view. thc Alaska bureau of the Seattle chamber has in hand tho organization Of Q large representative party that win make a complete tour Of Alaska to par ucipatc in these celebrations Com gress is preparing to be represented by a large committee. The last rcso-
 hutton Co be introduced by senator Pimau provides for delegation of eighteen senators and fifteen con grcssmeu.
 As thc Seattle Yacht Club had planned for this summer water carnival Co be followed by cruise of the waters Of Southeastern Alas .ka. thc Alaska bureau cooperated with the Yacht Club in fixing the date of departure from Seattle on July z. SO that the two parties will leave Seattle together The water carnival win furnish a source of cn- tertalnmeut and a fitting send-otf for Che Alaska party
 It is probable that Che yachts will be able Co be with the Alaska bureau party at their stops in the South eastern Alaska towns, after which Che Yacht Club party will return to Seattle. The Alaska bureau party win continue Co the westward along thc south coast as far as Anchorage. returning via Skogway where the bureau party will divide, part re-
 turning Co Seattle and the remainder going au into the Yukon interior and covering au ul Western Alaska lt is estimated that the south coast DOT ton of che Alaska bureau tour win require twonty-two days and the en-
 tire tour. covering the interior and Western Alaska. about forty-e!ght days. The Alaska bureau party vl. leave Seattle in two or more vessels that will travel in company through out the southeast and south c, asts of Alaska.
 The Alaska bureau was asked by the Alaskan committees to undertake thc organization of this party and the arranging of the necessary dc- tails. This the bureau has now in hand and expects soon Co be able to announce complete details as ti itin- erary. The numerous celebrations and interesting events that will be staged in the northern localities for the benefit of this party are be ing arranged in extensive manner. Those plans contemplate some thirty odd special celebrations and events.
 The anniversary of final transfer Of Alaska to the United States, Octo- bcr IS. probably will be fittingly celebrated in Seattle by a reunion of an Northerncrs under auspices Of