The Cordova daily times., 1920-07-28
ALASKA POLICY
 OF HARDING GRATIFYING

'I am very much pleased with the declaration of Senator Harding fav- bring a "liberaI policy for Alaska in his speech accepting the Republi can nomination for President de 0ared J. c. Mcbride, Republican Ma tional Committeeman for Alaska
 Il had hoped that such mention would be made" continued MT. Nc Bride, and in fact I have been work ing to secure such a declaration ever since the nomination of Senator Hard ing by the Chicago convention I be- gan work on the matter while I was in Seattle and was materially assisted " friends of Alaska both in Seattle and other Washington cities. Guy E.. Kelly, National Committeeman for that state, was one of those actively interested
 At MT. McBrides suggestion MT Kelly wrote a strong letter to Chair man Will Hays of the Republican  declared:
 "As you know, Alaska is ham, pered and hedged about with red tape and commissions, which have greatly retarded, if not totally de- stroyed it's development in the last few years. 1 wish that you would undertake to communicate with Sen ator Harding, with the suggestion that he consider issuing a statement in which he unqualifiedly favors the opening of the territory, and relieving if from the very things which have re- tarded it's advancement in resent ESars. It will help us in Washington and it is the right thing to do. It will also show that Senator Harding has grasp of the needs of Alaskans and the Pacific coast states.
 MT. Harding stated that the fail ure of the Chicago convention to atopt specific plank regarding Alaskan policies was disappoint- ment to everyone. Mr. Hazelet had a srle1 did plank prepared but i. :ailel to go through after all the delegates hIG become tired out with the pt,,- lcnged fight over other things. "As Aiaskans, we are interested first of all in our own territory" said MT. Mcbride. "For this reason" he added "all of us want to see that both of the two big parties have committed themselves to something definite for the territory Realizing that the lack of an Alaskan policy in it's plat form was blow to the people of Alaska, MT. Mcbride immediately got busy.
 He wrote Chairman Will Hays, Himself, and urged that the defect be remedied. Later, at the time of MT. Hays first visit to Marion, Ohio, to hold a conference with the Republican nominee, MT. Mcbride wired the former outling a number of ideas as follows:
 ''On the advise of Senator Jones. l most earnestly solicit you to pre- vail upon Senator Harding to cover Alaska development matter in his speech of acceptance. Our national platform is silent on Alaska. Import ant matters affecting the vote cast or under the influence of Alaska at the coming November election is abol- ishment of bureaucratic and long range government for Alaska, better and increased ocean and land trans pSrtation to and in Alaska, reestab- lishment of adequate mail service for the territory, and, opening of the vast resources, including coal, pulp and oil"
 Most, if in fact not all of these suggestions, were incorporated in Senator Hardings speech said MT. Mcbride. He also added that he thought that when full reports of the address are received it will be found that a complete and liberal policy has been outlined and endorsed by the Re- publican nominee.