The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-11
ALASKAN GOVERNOR
PLEADS FOR BIGGER
FUNDS OF COUNTRY
(By Associated Press1

that "for lack OF intelligent govern
ment assistance the truly great re-
sources of Alaska must perforce lie
in idleness." Governor Thomas Riggs,
Jr., in his annual report today, voiced
q plea for the adoption by the govern
ment Of a more liberal Alaskan policy.
The report said lawlessness, "partic-
ularly that fomented by proGermans.
I. w. w. and Bolshevik elements"
was becoming menace.
Appropriations are placed at such
a low figure as to preclude effective
ness; rich mining regions are made
unavailable for lack OF transportation
facilities; fisheries are threatened with
exhaustion for lack Of protection; ma.
tives, in time OF epidemicp arc allowed
to die Of disease and starvation and,
as q result OF laws and regulations, at
every turn appears the huge Teutonic
sign 'Verboten," the governor said.
The people Of Alaska, he added.
hold out their hands to Washington.
not az supplicants for bounty, but in
petition to be allowed to develop as
were the western territories, now the
great western states"
Referring to the menace Of increas-
ing radicalism in Alaska the report
said:
Indications point to . continued
flmmigration as the result Of army de-
mobilization and the closing of war
time Industries. Alsaka is receiving
the extremes Of the social scales. On
the ono hand the fine young men OF
tho type who developed the great
western states are becoming evident In
increasing numbers and, on the other
hand, the ]. w. W., alien enemy and
condition Of the territory. are arriving
In force and making their presence
known. The great Numbers OF for
leigners In Alaska who can hardly
speak the English language fall easy
victims to the insidious propaganda OF
tho seditious agitator. It does not
seem right that the decent, honest
law abiding majority should not re-
sceive full protection at all times"
The governors report deplored tho
faction of congress in failing to appro-
pirate money for the relief Of the ma
tive population during the recent Sc
we're outbreak of influenza in the far
north. There were more than $500
deaths chiefly among the natives,
Governor Riggs reported and condi-
lions in the interior Of the country
were beyond description. The entire
adult population of many villages was
wiped out, the report stated, and hun
dreds of children starved or succumb-
ed to cold.
Asks Appropriation.
Despite this serious situation, said
Governor Riggs, "a bill introduced in
the senate appropriating 100000 for
Alaskan relief passed that body but
failed in the house although at the
appropriations of $1O0,000.O00 for the
relief of the destitute in Europe and
$1,000, 900 for fighting influenza in the
United States.
Great credit was given the Ameri-
can navy and the Red Cross for vol
untary assistance during the epidemic.
The report incorporated the following
recommendations:
Reimbursements Of the territory for
money spent for the relief of natives;
consolidation of all governmental au-
thority possible in the department of
the interior; removal Of restrictions
on export of birch timber from pub
lie lands; establishment of a uniform
ed constabulary; assignment Of naval
or coast-guard ships to continuous
duty in Alaskan waters; transfer OF
jurisdiction over fisheries to the ter
ritory; assistance to farmers by loan
of money and cattle; restoration OF
national forests to the public domain;
appropriation for Mount Mckinley Ma
tional park; increased telegraph serv
ice; increased appropriation for work
among natives; increased appropria
tons for the protection Of game and
the suppression of the liquor traffic
increased appropriation for the estab
lishment of aids to navigation; in
creased appropriations for coast sur
veys; renewal of mail contract system
for the delivery of mail.