Iditarod pioneer., 1917-01-13

The following are brief excerpts from the reports of the heads of the various govern mental departments to congress early ln December;
 Secretary Lanes Helpful Suggestions l Secretary of the Interior Lane recom- mends that the powers of the Alaska legls- lativc assembly be enlarged 80 as to pro vide larger measure of home rule for the territory; that the territory be given power to incur territorial indebtedness, and that municipalities in Alaska be given power to also incur indebtedness for civic improve ments; that the offices of secretary of Alaska and surveyor general be segregated. The report recommends that the expenses Of conducting surveys of homesteads. to which the public land surveys are not extended, be borne by the federal government and not, as now, by the claimant; declares that conservation of the fisheries of Alaska, eS- pecially of the salmon fisheries, IS of vital importance, and that while the United States bureau of fisheries does not believe l that the waters of Alaska have been made to yield their maximum of fisheries prod ucts without being depleted, the statement of fishermen and many cannery operators IS in direct opposition to this opinion. l Increase of Navy
 Until all nations agree to reduce their ornaments the United States must con tinue to increase its naval power says 1 Secretary of the Navy Daniels. The report deals comprehensvey with the plans Tor the increase in the navy, tells of the con tracts that have been awarded fer the con l structicu of naval craft, and covers tie naval program in every detail 1 Also of Army
 The annual report of Secretary of War Baker dcvotes considerable space to the in vasion of Mexico by American troors and deals comprehensively with the plans ol tho department for an increased army.
 Wages Are !ncrea3jne i The chief recommendation of Secretary of Labor Wilson, in his annual report, E the expansion of the government s employ ment service by the creation of separate employment bureau within the department 1 of labor The report deals in general way with labor conditions throughout the 1 country, and says an increase ln wage scales l over previous years hss been noted With i satisfaction.
 Alaska kep ee5s 1 Secretary of AgTculture Houston pre- diets & great potash industry growing out of the development of the keip beds o1 l Alaska and California, which he strongly urges.
 Volunteer Military System Fails 1 General Scott. chief of staff of the United States army, Is pronounced in his opinion 1 that the volunteer military system is 1 failure snd declares himself to be in favor ! of universal military trslning. There is no reason why one woman'5 son should go out and defend or be trained to defend, 1 another woman and her son, who refuses to take training or give service to his coun- 1 try" says the report.
 Alaska Land Surveys 1 Clay Taliman, commissioner of the United l States general lard office requests 2 speed 1 ng up of land surveys in Alaska ln the ! interest of agriculture and other activities.
 Railroad Stimulates Development l Governor Strong of Alaska, in his report to the secretary of the interior, says there l has Leen 35 per cent increase in the ter ! ritory's foreign trade Gold and copper i shipments from the territory for the yeaC ! 1916 aggregate total value of S3,cOJ9JO. The report says that the construction oi 1 the government railwsy system IS fast de yelopag large section of the country and has stimulated development in the remain der of the territory.