The Cordova daily times., 1919-11-08
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1919
ALASKA AN ASSET

Figures compiled by Governor Thomas Riggs, Jr, show that federal appropriations for Alaska for the fis- cal year 1919 amount to approxi- mately $S,0O0,000. In this amount is included an appropriation of $5,250,- 900 for the Alaskan engineering com mission, and an appropriation of $1,000,000 for mining coal by the navy department. This latter sum was never used, and number of other appropriations were not used in their entirety. During this same year the federal treasury received approxi- mately $18,000,000 from the territory The federal government has, there fore, received more than two dollars for every one expendd in Alaska dur ing the year in question. In addition to this direct contribution to the treas ury of the United States, the terri tory has added to the material pros perity of the nation by producing and exporting $77, ,377 ,S05 in fisheries prod ucts, minerals, furs, etc, during the year in question. A portion of this amount ultimately finds it's way into the federal treasury through the in dustries which these exports make possible in the States. There is no one, therefore, who can deny that Alaska is paying her way.
 Now appears the sequel of the story. There is now before congress the Smith-Towner education bill. This bill carries an annual appropriation of $10O,OO0,OO for the purpose of assist ing the states to bring better educa- tional opportunity to the school chil- dren within their borders. Alaska is not included within the terms of this act and is left to provide for her school children to the degree that she finds possible.
 The same thing occurred at the time the Smith-Hughes act was passed. The writer was in Washing ton shortly after the passage of this act and was informed by those who had been delegated to carry out it's provisions that those who had the bill in charge before it's enactment into law considered the advisability Of ad- law considered the advisability of ad- hitting the territories to it's benefits, but decided in the negative. 1nfor- nation was further received to the eff feet that it would not be possible to extend to Alaska the benefits of any law which did not also apply to Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philippine islands, etc. eW are unable to concur in the viewpoint which places Alaska in the same category as the other posses sions of the United States, and for the following reasons:
 The population of Alaska, with the exception of the Alaska natives who are wards of the federal government ana WnO uO HOL COl1tll lDutC to dhy great extent to the material prosper ity of the territory, is of the same general character as in the average state. The residents of the territory are American in ideals, in thought, in feeling and in conduct. They have, with the exception of portion of the children, at one time resided in the States. There is a constant influx Of people to and from the States and Alaska. Those who are today resi- dents of Alaska may, next year reside in Washington, California, New York and Colorado. At the same time, some who are now residents of the States may before another year take up their residence in Alaska.
 Alaska is now educating boys and girls who will later use the talents here developed for the advancement of Washington, California, New York and Colorado. This statement does not apply to any other territory con trolled by the United States. Those who advocate state or federal financial suDnOrt for schools rightly base their