The Alaska citizen., 1917-01-29

 sarding Alaska which appeared in the Christmas edition 2t the Spring field Ulinois) Republican. It ap peared under the name Of Roger FroJt who states that he visit ed the interior as tourist lat sum mer. It was this story that Mir Frost requested, in letter to The Citizen, be printed and commented upon. The editorial comment ap- peared during the past week. The story is as follows:
 The finest scenery in the world Is within the United States. The Swiss and Tyrolese alps would be lost, Il placed among the snow-coYered mountains that can b. seen along the Alaskan coast Neither the Cau casus nor the PyTeneos nor the Car pathiaus compare with these iu gran deur. The glacier oi Alaska not only are the largest in the world, but they are so countless that most at thom have not yet name, lee berss can be seen in their forma ton, a process which is accompanied by roars from their mother glaciers Anyone who cares 10 approach it in a launch, can mount one, as l did myself, like the polar bear in the advertisements.
 All of this can be seen from the deck of q comfortable and well-ap- pointed steamer. There are at lea t three lines through Puget sound and along the coast of Alaska whicn coEl- pare fayorably with the boats that cross the Atlantic. l heartily recommend a journey upon any one of them to all who can endure d large amount of fog and rain, Bears can be shot. a few miles from one of the island ports. Alpine climbers can find exploration, and can immoV- talIze themselves by climbing and naming peaks which have never been touched by the foot of man.
 4 journey to the interior is far different matter. The only means Of travel, for those who cannot walk or take an automobile or hor~e, several days over a rough mountain trail. is over the line of a railway and steam ship company which by violations of the anti trust laws has suppressed all rivals upon the river Yukon, and, by exorbitant charges for freight, has strangled commerce; so that al though there is enough gold there to pay, within a few years, the war debts of Europe, the cost of tran1- porting machinery and supplies is so enormous that many of the mining towns look like the Deserted Village described by Goldsmith; and the cities in the interior are. year after year. deteriorating, although they still refuse to give change for quarter. Meanwhile the coast, which is supplied by rival steamship com pan!es, is gaining in wealth ano population. The mines, even with a low grade of ore, flourish on the ocean front, and new canneries of clans and salmon are being built there. Nothing can save the interior except the completion of the govern ment railroad now being built. (And the refusal of Judge Hughes to say whether he is in favor of the neces' sary appropriations has caused great dread throughout the territory less he should be elected.)
 It is my belief that the need Of in- crea1ing the supply of gold, so that the national debt can be more easily paid will make Great Britain, after the war, offer subsidies for river and railroad transportation in the Yukon.
 Paying High for Filth.
 cannot now recommend travel ing in the interior to anyone who has a delicate stoma ch, or a sensi- tive nose, or is particular about the company he keeps or the language he hears, or has limited time at his disposal which requires the making of close connections, or is obliged to be economical of money. as well as time. The steamboats on the Yukon are filled to the gunnel with cargo, and each boat also pushes one or more scows similarly loaded. The one that I was on had another boat fastened to its side. They carry, on their own decks or on the scoWs' cattle, swine, sheep and poultry. the decks containing which l have never seen washed. Passengers who come to the river by the company's rail II x,rhn