The Cordova daily times., 1920-03-12
COMMERCIAL CLUB OFFERS
 PLAN TO SPEED REFORM IN
 DEVELOPINC0URRES0URCES

be given that complete understanding of it's task that is essential to suc- cessful accomplishment
 The fault, as usual in such cases, may confidentialy be ascribed to lack of proper representation of the gov erned at the seat of government.
 Alaska's delegate, with no vote in the house, is only very occasionally given, under suffrance, the oppor- tunity of making himself heard. Frequently he is opposed in con- mittees by lobbyists for private in- terests, and if these be sufficiently numerous, the fact that the delegate pie of the Territory is apt to be over looked. Certain it is that he is not given opportunity to take up all of even the more important issues.
 It was with a realization of the fact that Congress had but little time to devote to the delegate that home rule was asked for, in the hope that the Territory could then adequately manage it's own affairs; but when the enabling act was passed it was found that the legislature was so hedged around with restrictions that little change in the system of man. agement had been effected. The pre- negatives of chief importance to a state Cor territory were prescribed and only through memorials to Con- gross, which might or might not sometime be accorded attention, could Alaska's s real needs be voiced Laws passed by the legislature must remain in a state of incertitude as to their constitutionality for an indefin- lte time, awaiting the sanction of Congress, and the doubt and indeci- slon there engendered has caused the legislature to be regarded with scant deference.
 To this handicap of a lack of op- portun1ty to properly represent it's needs where help should be forth coming must be added the burden that continuously is being imposed on the territory through the misrepresenta- tlons of irresponsible writers. For In spite of the educational efforts of commercial organizations throughout the Territory, it seems to be quite impossible to eradicate the idea, pre- Valent in the States, that a years residence in Alaska should entitle one to Carnegie medal for bravery While 1t is the simple truth that life Tn any one of the towns of Alaska is no more exciting than that in towns or similar size in the States, differing only in the fact that the Alaskan town probably affords more of the comforts achieved through modern conVenlences, many newspaper and magazine writers appear obsessed With the idea that to be believed thev must so represent the daily life as 10 make each hour furnish material TOT an episode in the most tbri11ino Q. movie serial. While this may be ex- cusable in fiction novel it is noor propaganda for the inducement of inn migration, and it also furnishes .+ least some slight excuse for the neglect of the country by the Govern ment
 Assuming, then, that Congress- is Just as Willing to embark in q. good business venture for the United states as private corporation would De for it's own benefit, the induce ment for a more extended invest ment ln Alaska lies in the fact that the Terrltory's exports have totaled nearly billion dollars, in spite of the tact that the money spent on it's de- Velopment has been, by comparison, negligible. Should investigation prove this inducement sufficient there would then arise the question of the form ot management that might be depended on to insure success. and if IS in this particular that change of method is suggested.
 It has been proven by the infaIlible test of experience that the Territory cannot be adequately served through the delegate and the legislature alone, as each is too heavily handicapped oy the enforced restriction of activity, Not to displace the delegate or leg. lslature, but to act in conjunction with ootn' 1t is now suggested that there be appointed a commission of twelve men, three appointed from each judi clal division of the Territory and that 'hls commission meet in Washington uurlng a session of Congress, with the House Committee on Territories