Valdez daily prospector., 1917-11-14
GIVE ALASKANS
 CHANCE IS PLEA
Former Chief of Wagon Road Work In Territory Guest at Luncheon
 at Butler Hotel

Instead of the slogan, Develop Alaska let the slogan Permit Alas ka to Develop was the blow directed at cOnservationists by Brig. Gen. w. P. Richardson, former head of the AL aska Road Commission, at the com plimentary luncheon rendered him on Tuesday by the members of the AL aska Bureau of the Seattle Chamber cf Commerce and Commercial Club in the Butler Hotel.
 Nearly 100 of Seattle's business and professional men attended the lunch con. F.. C. Hughes chairman of the executive committee of the bureau, who presided, in introducing Gen. Richardson, said that it was fitting that man who had done so much for Alaska as Gen. Richardson should be thus honored.
 Ordered to WasSington, D. C., by the war department for active duty there until given another assign ment, perhaps on the firing line in Europe" said MT. Hughes, "I want to call your attention to the great work done by our guest during his twenty veal service in the North land. where among his achievements may be found 2,OOO miles of pioneer trails, 500 miles ci wagon roads, some of them as scenic as to be found anywhere in the world
 We of the Northwest appreciate lis work. and that work and its cost is truly an object lesson to the road builders of America. It is certainly 6 great record. and in bidding him what hope is only an au revoir. those of us who, have sons enlisted know that if they should be well safeguard ed.''
 Gen. Richardson, when presented, was loudly cheered, the entire gath ering rising. and it was several min utes before he could proceed.
 You do me a distinguished honor end I assure you l appreciate your aindness," said Gen. Richardson. land while l have always tried to do my !uty, the work done in Alaska for which you give me credit was, after all, done by the war department. which in times of peace does consid ,rably more than train soldiers.
 Give North a Chance
 r. d with me in the work done in Alas na Without the war department and these men who have been associated with me. hardly beginning could nave been made in the development of the country"
 Speaking of the future of Alaska, Sen. Richardson said that only be- ginning had been made.
 And while I want to counsel con- servation, I want to urge that in- stead of the present slogan, Develop Alaska. the slogan, Permit Alaska 70 Develop" be substituted, and en- couragement be given capital in AL aska. for 1t needs capital" Gen. Richardson Complimentary
 Gen. Richardson said that the Alas kans were possessed of a wonderful spirit: that it's wealth is to be found along it's coast, where its fisheries are inexhaustible.
 II may never again return to Alas ka," said Gen. Richardson. Besides building roads. perhaps in France, I want to kill few Germans, and if do return to Alaska. it will probably be only as visitor, but my interest in that great land will never cease, I ] can promise you" In closing, Gen. Richardson com mended the work of the Alaska Bu- yeau and congratulated it's members | on it's efforts in behalf of the territory. a land, he said, which means much | for the entire Northwest section as we'll as the whole country-Seattle| |