The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-06-30
M'PHERSON'S WORK

J. l" MCI lleIS SOI at WdSnlnStOn at the present time acting in the capacity of unofficial coun- sel for her interests. He can accomplish a great deal for the North and is showing his willingness to do so at every opportunity.
 He is perhaps accomplishing more than any delegate Alaska ever had. His statements as to certain facts carry much weight, and his attitude toward the Alaska railroad may be considered to be absolutely non-partisan and without bias. He has no interest in depart mental affairs which would render him pre- judiced i'll favor of the administration or its agencies, nor has he any political affiliations in the North to influence and color his ex- position of the facts as they exist For these reasons, congress can depend upon what he says to be approximately correct.
 Contrast his statements of fact with the assertions made several weeks ago by Judge Wickersham. The latter published tables pur- porting to prove that the construction of the Alaska railroad had already cost more than $14l 900 per main line, intimating that the completed road would show higher construc- tion cost than that. MT. McPherson, who has no political fences to build or keep in repair, presents figures to the senate which prove that the completed cost of construction with additional appropriations amounting to more than $16,OOO,00O will not be much more than $73,000 per mile. Wickersham charged gross misrnanagement, waste and incompetency while MT. McPherson makes an absolute as sertion that the road has been constructed cheaper than any other built in recent years,
 The former was out to "get even" with someone, while the latter is merely trying to aid Alaska. Therein is the big difference. Wick with his personal fights does the North incalculable injury. MT. McPherson, having no personal ends to serve, is able to accom- plish things of material benefit to the terri tory.
 What he is doing any man can do who knows the needs of Alaska, who has no selfish aims involved, who is honest ill his convic- ton that the big Northland is worthy of the best that can be got for it, and sincere in his efforts to get them. Brains are required, it is true. But ability is not the sole qualifica- tion of a delegate from Alaska. Loyalty and honest service must be present and any man having those three virtues can get anything he wants from the people of Alaska if he but ex- ercises them for the territory.
 MT. McPhgson is not an Alaskan But he is doing work that Alaskans have left un- done for which he deserves the confidence and thanks of the entire North Unofficially he is trying to do that which our former official representative would have undone
 THE PACIFIC FLEET
 The coming of strong American fleet into Pacific waters to be permanently station ed there will realize the ambitions that the people of the western slope of the continent have had for years Administration followed administration, most of them republican, and still the pleas of the Pacific states went un- heard and unheeded.
 At last recognition has been given and a fleet at least equal in strength to the Atlantic squadron will make its home on the western coast of America And such a division is no more than is just, nor the strength of 'this fighting unit excessive in view of the coast line which must be protected in case of attack by any Oriental power.
 The stationing of such large fleet on the Pacific will not be without its benefits to the North, aside from the fact that it guaran- tees it against possible harm from outside sources It will create demand for Alaskan coal for naval purposes which assures steady and heavy growth to that industry. If the oil leasing measure is enacted by the present con- gress, 1t will insure immediate exploration and development of Alaskan oil fields. These two industries will put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the coffers of the nation at large and Alaska in particular.