The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-05-17
MILLIONS FROM ALASKA
COST 2 CENTS An ACRE
Stewards WISDOM AND FORE.
SIGHT HAVE BEEN viNDi.
GATED BY RICHES.


Secretary Lane recently, Alaska be-
came a part of the United States.
I'VE are only beginning to realize
how tremendous the service was that
William H. Seward performed when
he secured for us this great source Of
wealth. When Seward was secretary
of state few men realized the great
potential value of Alaska. Popular
impression held it snow-bound will
derness land of ice and polar bears.
Seward felt that the time would come
when the wealth of Alaska would as
tcnish the world. His judgment today
is vindicated.
Opposition to the taking of Alaska
was as blind as it was virulent. But
after so years actual financial state
ments show us and prove conclusively
ity would have been a colossal blum
der-a blunder future generations
could never forgive.
Wanted to Help Russia.
"A moral obligation was one of the
primary reasons that led to the pur-
chase of Alaska. Russia had given us
the passive support of two fleets of
warships during our civil war. and
saved us from serious indignities that
threatened from abroad. Russia need
ed money. We, of course, could not
give it to her outright, but we could
let her have it and take in exchange
her barren North American provinces.
In the face Of a storm of protest, the
treaty was signed and fully ratified,
the Russian ambassador collected ST.
100000 from Uncle Sam. and Alaska
edged her way into a protesting and
inhospitable democracy.
six hundred thousand square miles
of territory. 3S4,O00,0OO acres of land,
were bought by our government in
1876 for little over $7,0O0,O0O. That
little filler in real estate, at 2 cents an
acre. has brought something more
into the channels of American trade
during the past half century. And
the profits are just beginning to come
in. A scant $4,000 people are living
in that vast country, one fifth as large
as the United States. One hundred
million dollars out of that three quar-
tiers of billion formed their contri-
button for 1916. What it will be in
20l6 no man can predict.
Make Homes in Alaska.
1.-The people who are going to Alas
ka in these days are men with famil-
les, people who are going to stay and
put their children in Alaskan schools,
warm them with Alaskan coal, feed
them with Alaskan meat and vege-
tables, pay their bills with Alaskan
gold. Normal industry is forcing the
frontier. Alaskans have confidence in
the legitimate resources of their great
empire. They are convinced that
Alaska's future will be an imposing
one.
'Inaccuracy and distortion Of facts
caused the faulty impressions that ex-
listed in the past, but the handful of
far sighted patriots who have poured
their millions into American banks
and business, the men who have lived
the life and who know, are fast in
the world. Few in numbers,
as were the frontiersmen who opened
up the forests of New York and Ohio,
but as determined in spirit and reso-
lutte in purpose as were those early
explorers, the sturdy pioneers of Alas
ka have opened up new fields Of enter
prise, and are today compelling atten-
ion.
Reindeer to Supply Meat.
Complaints are heard throughout |
he states that meat in Alaska is
scarce and high in price. Let those
who so complain take comfort In the |
hought that soon Alaskan reindeer
neat vii, find its way to metropolitan
ables, and when It does our staple
'eefs and muttons will find compet-
tor worthy of their steel.
1T is estimated that 10000, 000, 900
ons Of coal lie in the virgin coal fields
4 Alaska. This coal is gradually APP
earring in the market. Experts say
ONE of the best coal in the world
freaks the giant mountains Of Alas
"a. With these mines opened, with
he new government railroad in active
peration, the development Of great !