The Alaska daily empire., 1918-12-19

tied up in Government withdrawal, When legislation now before Con gross has been enacted, an attractive field will be opened up to the pros pector financially able to bear the expense incident to oil exploration.
 Police Protection
 Outside of the incorporated towns there is but little police protection except as afforded by the various except as afforded by the various wardens and special employees for the suppression of the liquor traffic among the Natives. The marshals' offices are hemmed around with re. striction concerning expenditures for the detection of crime, which makes it almost impossible to prevent crime or to run down lawbreakers after crime has been committed. 4 rec ommendation is made for the estab lishment of a Federal contabulary to enforce law and prevent crime.
 Alaska Game
 The game laws are unsuited to the needs of the Territory. Congress can not devote the time necessary to the enactment of laws which will meet the many diversified conditions encountered in a country so large as Alaska Game should be protected by the enforcement of stringent laws but of laws made by people familiar with game and the country. There should be laws which will conserve game. but which will still allow of it's use by population dependent upon it. The Governor recommends that the control of Alaskan game be passed to the Territorial Legisla- ture At present the force of game wardens is entirely inadequate, par ticularly when the population is hos tile to the unjust provisions of the laws and regulations.
 Territorial Banks
 At the close of the fiscal year there were 16 Territorial banks and three National banks, the same mum Der as at the close of the previous year. New banks were established at Fairbanks and Cordova during the year, and there was one failure, bank in Fairbanks having been clos ed in August, 1917, by the Territorial Banking Board The Bank of Ruby. after slightly more than a years existence, voluntarily liquidated it's affairs.
 Labor Conditions
 It is safe to say that every indus try in the Territory is suffering from I shortage--of labor Mines, mills, shops, and railroads are all working shorthanded Peak produc tion everywhere has been rendered In many instances men have given up good wages with con tinuous employment, urged to other by the National rest lessness.
 At Nome a more serious strike is in progress. The Miners Union struck for an eighthour day as pro vided by Territorial law and would accept no compromise, although the law had been found unconstitutional by the Judge of the Fourth Judicial district An attempted appeal was denied by the Attorney General of the United States. Until the validity of the law is finally settled there will be a recrudence of labor trou bles.
 As provided in the Act, under in- structions of the Council of De- fense, the eight-hour workings of the law were set side by proclama- tion of the Governor as applied to fisheries for the period of one year, unless the war sooner terminates.
 Bureau of Publicity
 A Territorial Bureau of Publicity is being conducted for the purpose of disseminating literature concern ing the Territory and for interesting prospective investors by furnishing reliable special information. A cen tral labor bureau is maintained and is doing much toward general dis tribution of labor Results are com mencing to be shown.
 Food Administration
 The Food Administrator, with headquarters at Juneau. reports many important results accomplished, the most important of which has been the fixing of the price to be paid for salmon and other fish. In this connection. the duties of the Food Administrator for Alaska are among the most important in the country. A number of matters, such as stimu- latlng the production. creating a de- mand for fish other than salmon, aiding in the preservation of the fish of the. Territory. securing the coop eration of dealers other than those handling foodstuffs in carrying out the food program. etc. have been handled by the Alaska Food Admin istration. The cooperation and will ingness of Alaskans to comply with the regulations of the Food Admin istration. have been most gratifying.
 Public Lands
 During the year 16 townships.