Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-12-11
ANNUAL REPORT OF
GOVERNOR OF ALASKA

Washington. Der. D.-Dec.aring that
for lack Of intelligent government as
sistance the truly great resources of
Alaska must per3orce lie IN iGleness.'
Governor Thomas Riggs, IT. in his an
nual report To-Day, voiced plea for the
adoption by the government Of a more
liberal Alaskan policy. The report said
lawlessness particularly that fonsnt-
ed by pro-Ger-nRns. I ". W. and
Eoishev;k elements" was becoming a
menace.
appropriations are placed al such a
low figure as to preclude effectiveness.
rich mining regions are MAZE unavsil-
able for lack Of transportation facii,t e;
fishers s are threatened with exhaus-
/ ton for lack Of protection: natives in
time Of e:iidemics are allowed ID die of
disease End starvation and. as a result
Of laws and regulations al every urn
appears the huge Teutunic sign Yer
bDten." the governor SAID.
| The people Of AlRsi1a, he added, "hula
out their hands 70 Washington. not as
supplirants for bounty, but in petition
To De allowed 70 develop as were the
} Western territories, now the great
/ Western sra4ss.''
Referring TO the menace Of increasing
radicalism in Alaska the report said:
Indications point 10 continued
immigration as the result of army ae-
n1ebil cation and the closing Of war
. time industries Alaska il renewing the
extremes Of tire spcisl scales. On the
one hand the fine -oung men of the type
who developed the s-ea. Western sta. as
are becoming evident in increasing num-
bers and on the other hand. the [ W.
w. alien enemy and Bolsnerik. know
ing the unprotected condition of the
territory. are arriving in force and max
ing their presence known. The greaf
numbers Of foreigners in Alaska who
can hardly speak the English language
"a easy victims 10 the nsidipus propa-
grntia Of the sediticus as;tator. I. does
NOT seem right that the decenr, honest
law-aoiding majority should not receive
fuii protection AZ an times"
=, The Governors report depiured the az
ton Of Congress- in failing to appro-
pirate money for the relief Of the native
population during the recent severe out
break or Influenza In the far north
There were more than f5lp deaths chiefly
among the natives. Governor Riggs re-
ported Ind conditions In the interior Of
the country were beyond description
The entire adult population Of many
villages was wiped ont. the repurt stat
ed. and hundreds Of childran starved
OF snccumbed Id coid-
DESPITE this serious situatipn. said
Governor Riggs. n bill introduced IN
the Senate aqprupriaring sIpeae for
Alaskan relief passed that body but
failed in the House although At the
same time Congress waa considering
fppropriatinns of SIN. nso. oea fnr the relief
of the destitute in Europe and s. .DDo. coo
FIR fighting influenza In the Cuiied
States.
Great credit WIS given the American
FEY and the Red Cross for voluntary
ASSES ance during the epidemic The re-
port Incorporated the following RECON-
meudnticnE.
Reimbursement Of the territory rur
money spent far the relief Of natives n
Consolidation Of al governmental all
thoriry possible in the Department, Of
the Iuteriur.
Removal II restrictions IN ex1urt II
birch timber from public lands.
Establishment cf a uniformed con-
stabuiary.
Assignment Of naval or cnssf-guard
ships To continuous dufy In Alaskan
waters
Transfer of jurisdiction over ishes1cs
70 the territory
Assistance 70 farmers by iuzn of
money and catyie.
Restoration Of national ruresss m ts,e
public domain.
Appropriation for Mount Mckinley
National Park
Increased telegraph service
Increased appropriation tor work
Among natives.
Increased appropriations for the mr..
lection Of game and the suppression of
liquor traffic
Increased appropriation for tte eg:ab-
hsnmert Of aids To navigation.
Increased appropriations fnr cnasf sur
vega
Renewal II mai. cuntract system Fur
the delivery OF mail