The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-12-23
COOPERATION

veopment of the mining industry and the interior of Alaska, in the cooperation that is coming about between Nenana and Fair banks It is Well-known fact that two places working together can get more force behind their efforts than if they were working separ- anything is done according othese communi- heads are better than one" so two communi- ties bending their united efforts toward the same end will accomplish greater and bigger things than they would working in haphaz- ard fashion without the mutual support and inspiration afforded by the combination.
 The interior of Alaska needs and should obtain government aid in overcoming large odds in opening up the country. This opinion was well established before the United States entered the war, but necessarily had to be laid aside until such time as the national i11- terest of winning the war could be superseded by the local interests of the development o1 the territory. Now that this has been accom-. plished, the time is ripe for Alaska, and the government has signified its willingness to dc everything possible, that seems best, to furth CT and hasten this development. The govern ment railroad, the first big step taken toward this end, was started before the war, and ha: continued with but little interruption in spite of tho war; Now it is to be expected that il will be rushed to completion that it may tak' its part in the rapid growth of the country.
 The second step on the part of the gov ernment will take the form of more direc aid to the miners themselves. The only way that the government at Washington may know what is needed and where, in Alaska, is thrl the communications that come to it iron Alaska, long distance affair at best. Befor' anything is done, according to these communi cations, those upon whom the responsihilit, rests will be sure that what is asked is feas ible and necessary, as we'll as practicable, be- fore they go ahead and act upon the sugges ton or request. Naturally, they will be "fron Missouri" on anything about which they know so little, and will have to be convinced tha it is the best course to follow before they will get down to brass tacks and spend any money in actual help. They will compar' the suggestions and requests from differen localities and organizations or individuals trying to get from them all comprehensiv, plan that will benefit them all most efficient ly, and with the least unnecessary expense Therefore it is an immense saving of tim and effort if the communities in question unit and cooperate in the first place, in stating thu case to the proper officials at the national capi l they are dealing with the consensus of opin easily convinced that what is asked is prac all concerned They will know that one com munity is not trying to profit at the expens of the others but that all of the interior i working together for tthe best interests of thu territory.
 It is perfectly fitting and proper that thi project that is being considered, namely, tn establishment of hydro-electric power plant should originate with the local chapter O. the American Mining Congress. The mem bers of this organization are all men most vi tally interested in the problem of power tha faces the miners of the country, and hav' been giving it careful and thotful consideration for some time In addition to this they hav the advantage of organized representation a Washington, to present their claims to con gress. But their work will be much more eff fective if they can have the support of tn communities behind them. The Commercial Clubs of Nenana and Fairbanks will be ab to give them most efficient backing, and wil do their utmost to further all their efforts fo the benefit of the territory. Working all to gether for project that will be of inestimabl value to the interior, it will be found tha much more will be accomplished than would b' possible under other circumstances
 The Commercial Clubs represent the peo pie of the two communities and by their en dorsement of the measures taken by the Min ing Congress, they will give the latter bod, the support that will bring results. They wil give voice to the desires and needs of the peo pie, and Washington will listen The govern ment of the United States, our government is of the people, for the people and by the peo pie, and when the residents of certain sec