The Alaska daily empire., 1918-08-03
Territorial Executive Does Not Believe in Absent Treatment for Alaska
 in Government.
HE URGES HARMONY
Is Convinced that Through Cooperation and Work Alaska May Soon Be
 Great State.

Gov and Mrs. Thomas Riggs, Jr. will be leaving Juneau on the steamer Alaska, now on her way here, for an extended trip throughout the Ter ritory. Gov. Riggs proposes at pres ent to proceed immediately to Fair banks via Chtina and thence down the river to Nome, touching at South ern Alaska ports on his return. This schedule is, however, subject to change, as is every Alaskan sched- ule wherein dependence must be placed in existing methods of trans portation.
 ''If I am going to make my office success" said Gov. Riggs, 'ft is necessary for me to acquaint myself at first hand with the need of the Territory and with it's people. Alas ka is so vast and conditions are so different in it's various parts that it is impossible for me to judge from my office in Juneau how I can best assist in the development of all parts of the country. Govern ment for Alaska by persons sitting in swivel chairs several thousand miles away from the section to be governed has been tried before with disasterous effects to Alaska, and I do not propose to put myself in that category if can help it.
 My great ambition is to see the people of the various sections pulling together all for the same purpose, namely to put all of Alaska on the Commercial and Industrial map. If possible, l want the people to recog- nize that the development of any one district must sooner or later affect other districts. If the people will )nly get together and help each with a big prosperous population be- fore we realize it.
 Just now we are confronted with war time conditions. Mining, our greatest resource, is seriously ham, pered not only on account of in- creased cost of production but in many localities on account of the 3carcity of miners. This is particu larly true on Gastineau Channel. The fishing industry is at a peak fishermen to fill places in the Army. and Navy and merchant marine have taken many skilled men from the fishing fleet and skilled fishermen are essential.
 Like everyone else I say Just you wait until after the war Dur ing this war Alaska must give as has every other community We must give men and money. We must give to the great charities and we Ire doing it without grumble, from he biggest to the lowest, for to win his war means everything that is lear to us. We are putting our 3ntire faith in the President and results show that our faith has not been misplaced.
 "We in Alaska are apt to think that no one in Washington is very greatly interested in Alaska. This is very great mistake. l have had had the opportunity of knowing Sec rotary Lane for over five years and know that he takes more interest in the development of Alaska than he does ip any other enterprise in which his department is engaged. He is quick to see merits in sug- gestions and he has one of those far-seeing minds which can look ahead and note what ultimate re- suits. MT. Lane is a sincere friend of Alaska.
 Another friend of Alaska is Sec retary Redfield who is equally quick to take helpful action. Note his instant response to my request to permit the shipping of fresh fish on Canadian ships to relieve a press ing emergency"