The Alaska daily empire., 1919-01-04
Alaska Will Receive Some Attention
Fairbanks Citizen.)


 If ia becoming evident that the Government really intends to give much needed attention to Alas ka If the proposed appropriations go through many long felt wants will be filled and the Territory i'm proved just that much. An increased expenditure is expected that will take in all the executive depart ments of Alaska, with the exception of the railroad and the forestry department This proposed appro- priation is based estimates as to the amounts needed by the various departments and should 1t go through it will much for the development of the Territory.
 The lighthouse department first the bill with requests for the largest of money. Prom thence Las been given to this department by the ac- cidents that happened during October, attended as they by great loss of life and property This department wants seventyfve thousand dollars for the establishment Of twenty-three acetyene hgnts, and five gas burners There is no doubt but that the lights along the coast of Alaska is urg ent and is that should be promptly met. In cluded in the estimate for the lighthouses is one hundred and forty-fve thousand for the establish ment of lighthouse at Cape Spencer and seventy thousand for repairs at various points in the system along the Eight hundred and thirty thousand Is asked by the coast for boats for chart ing Alaskan waters a need that has been demon strated beyond all question
 The department agriculture asks for seventy five thousand for repairs and improvements at the Kodiak stock experimental station This item surely will not meet with any disapproval for there is almost nothing that will do the development of the country than continued and additional experimenting along this lne Valuable work is being done by the ex- permental stations all the territory but the work with stock that has been done at this partic- ular station is something that be duplicated nowhere else and IS nVauaDe the 1uture or tne country.
 The fisheries bureau asks for hundred and twenty-five thousand for the protection of the seals of the Territory. Everyone familiar with the situa- knows that the fur seals in danger of being wiped of existence by the market hunters. These valuable fur bearers easy to hunt and kill that there natural reason to keep the greedy hunters from actually extermnating the species and eliminating future resource of the Territory The money asked for will doubtless be used in furthed protection these fur bearers and will ultimately add much to the wealth of the country
 One hundred and eleven thousand is asked for the care of those unfortunate people who unable to cope with the rigors of life in Alaska and down before it, sometimes ruined for life, namely the in sane patients of the Territory There has been dis satisfaction expressed with the treatment accorded these people, and indeed there has been for a great part of it. Better provision should be made for the and doubtless this money would be used for that purpose.
 Take it all in aN this proposed appropriation means much to the Territory but is only small part of what should be done for the country It promises well for the future, however, and is hopeful sign that should bring encouragement to all who in- terested the future and the development this wonderful Territory