The Alaska daily empire., 1919-11-14


 terior and to the Westward, while still suffering to some extent from the depressing effects if the war; said Mr. Henderson, 'are by no means discouraging. Many com munities, while temporarily some what depleted in population, still solid backing, and that they will display evidence that they have a again forge to the front when in dustry throughout the nation again becomes stabilized. The Tanana Valley has school enrolment of approximately 300 pupils. The en- rollment of the Fairbanks schools numbered 175 at the close of the first week of school, a greater num- Der than were enrolled on the same date last year.
 Farming Development
 "I was particularly impressed by the agricultural development which has taken place in the vicinity of Fairbanks. More than 2,000 bush els of wheat were raised by the farmers of that locality in addition to other grains, hay, and large variety of vegetables, during the past season. Agricultural develop ment in the Matanuska Valley is also such as to establish the fact that Alaska has plenty of resources other than those wrapped up in her mines and waters. Farming is, however, suffering with other in- dustrfes because of the high cost of transportation. A Matanuska farm CT informs me that a silo which he purchased for $200 f. o. b., Se- attle. cost him $4O0 laid down at the depot in Matanuska.
 "The supply of dog food in the Interior is seriously depleted as a result of the small run of fish on the Yukon. The fish-wheels, while operating faithfully for twenty-four hours in each day as in past sea- sons, failed to throw out the usual number of fish. Dried salmon were selling for 15 cents per pound in Ruby early in September. As re- suit of the scarcity of food and the attendant high prices, it is pre- dicted that many dog teams will have to be killed before the winter is over. Many are inclined to at tribute the short run to the fact that the Carlisle Packing Company caught and packed more than 50,- poo cases of salmon at the mouth of the river. 4tte.., q ,d llt
 While in Fairbanks, I had the pleasure ofoa visit to the site of the Alaska Agricultural Cillege and School of Mines. The college build ing is a, well constructed. carefully planned structure and reflects cred it upon the Board of Trustees of that institution. It is to be hoped that in the near future a flourish ing school may be in operation.
 School in Good Condition
 "The schools visited are, with a very few exceptions, in an excellent condition. The teachers are compe- tent and progressive, school boards and residents of the various com munities generally are vitally inter- ested in the advancement of the public school and are firm in their belief that the schools not only make the nation,' but also the tn- dividual community. The general spirit of harmony which exists in every community is worthy of es- pecial mention. The public school is the biggest and most vital insti- tuition in any city. It also pays higher dividends on the money in- vested than can be secured from any other source. These dividends take not only the form of money but also of 1ife-bigger. freer, and fuller. There is no one thing which can 50 with the sch0ol output as Jack of harmony on ths school fec lulty, the school board, or in the Alaska is, therefore. to be congratulated on the fact that her people are united in their ef- forts to make the public school an effective agent in the advancement of those for whose interests and for whose interests alone the school ex- ists. namely the children of the Territory.
 Never before in the history of the Nation or of the Territory has the educational outlook been 90 bright. There is now before Con gress what is known as the. Smith Towner Education bill. which pro- vides for Secretary of Education in the Presidents Cabinet and car