The Cordova daily times., 1919-10-06

it's management of the territory of
Alaska That is a strenuous indict-
ment, yet is borne out by the fact.
And the most substantial proof is
the undeveloped state in which the
territory is today, together with the
small population.
Everything that Alaska is today, it
is in spite of the federal government,
in spite of the petty politicians, in
spite of narrow departmental heads.
Why do not paper mills spring up in
Alaska with it's wonderful timber re-
sources? Why do not the mines go
Why is the fishing industry threat
ened with extinction? Why are there
not thousands and thousands of home
steaders in Alaska?
Shout these questions throughout
Alaska, and the echo will always ring
back from it's rich mineraI-bearing
hills, "short-sighted administration"
The timber in the forests of Alaska
standing as it has stood down through
the centuries is not worth a cent, a
morsel of food or a stitch of clothing
to anyone in the world If it stood
there for the next seven thousand
years, as during the past seven thou
sand years, it would profit no man
nor mankind
For fifty-two years the United
States Of America has owned that
timber and it has stood as during the
past seven thousand years. During
that time the paper industry has de-
veloped tremendously throughout the
world. Forests have been converted
into paper, billions of feet of timber
have been ground into pulp, yet not
a foot of Alaska timber has gone into
the great industry.
For years the paper makers have
been searching for material. Investi-
gators have been sent to Alaska and
have found the material, the power
and conditions ideal, yet at Washing
ton they stop. All ideas of develop
ment for Alaska stop at Washington.
Let any man appear at Washington
with a legitimate proposition for the
development of any resource in Alas
ka and Immediately he arouses the
suspicion of some official. At once
that official assumes the attitude that
Here is someone who wishes to COB
BILE up the territory of Alaska. I
must do heroic service for my coun-
try by preventing him from getting
any hold"
1t is a disease, a deadly germ for
Alaska that has gotten hold Of official
Washington, down through admins
tration after administration-Demo-
crat and Republican alike-and up to
the present time no serum has been
found to kill it.
No paper mill ever will be estab-
lished in any spot in the territory I'M
reservation are removed. That is
q certainty that has been demonstrate
ed over a period Of ffty-two years.
The forests may continue to shoot
their boughs heavenWard for all eter
nifty and they will not be disturbed
until new laws and regulations are
put into effect.
The government may retain super
vision over the forests, and over the
cutting of timber for paper, may in
sist upon taking a share of the prof
it's from it, and upon seeing that la
Dor engaged in the work is given a
fair share of the output, but it must
not insist upon any person or cOrpOr-
| alton advancing great sums for
stumpage before it touches a foot of
the material
It must make the industry profit
sharing one for the capital invested
for the labor employed and for the
government. That is a fair business
partnership, one that will appeal tC
capital and labor, and until it is done
there will be no development
So with the mines and the fisheries
The natural resources of fish, miner
ais and timber are greater than to be
found in other parts of the United
States, but until some benevolent
far-seeing set of business Statesmen
take the proper steps, Alaska will re
main stagnant.
sAe,.a LII