Evening star., 1920-03-22
DEPICTS ALASKA'S
RESOURCES, NEEDS
Gov. Riggs Speaks at Dinner
Given in His Honor by
Col. E. Lester Jones.

Thomas Riggs, 5r.. Governor Of
Alaska, was the guest of honor at d
dinner given last evening at the Cos.
mos Club by Col. e. Lester Jones,
superintendent of the coast and see=
sources and needs Of the territory
were discussed by Gov. Riggs and by
Col. Jones. following the informal
talks around the table. and later DR..
William L Finley. the naturalist. of
Portland, Ore. showed in the as
sembly hall of the club his latest and
most remarkable motion pictures Of
wild animal and bird life Of the Cas-
cade range.
In the discussion of Alaska, Gov,
Riggs revealed the fact that the
latest oil rush Is to that northern ter
ritory. Experts of the geological sur
vey. he stated, have declared that oil
will be found there and almost a
bonanza rush.
May Solve News Print Problem.
The governor also set forth Alaska
as providing the possible solution of
the present scarcity of news print
paper. The forestry service, 1t was
stated, has estimated that with the
trees already growing and with the
proper system of reforestration of
cut areas Alaska can supply the news
print needs Of the United States in
definitely. AS a step in the develop
ment of that resource, Gov. Riggs
said, the passage of the water power
bill is essential.
To the members of the Senate and
House who were guests of Col. Jones
at the dinner. Gov. Riggs appealed
for more liberal treatment of Alaska
in the matter Of appropriations and
Of desirable laws allowing the de-
velopment Of its resources. He point
ed out that Alaska pays much more
into the federal Treasury. through
general and special taxes. than Con-
gress appropriates for 1t. and that 1t
would be economy for the United
Safes to enlarge the sppropriationns ens
states have more Of 4he products.
Much could be done for Alaska, he
said, II Congress would let the terri
tory have the money derived from
the seal and other fishing. from the
coal. ore and other industries-not
counting the income taxes-in lieu
of the appropriations now made.
Speaking of the great division of
jurisdiction over Alaskan affairs be-
tween bureaus and departments in
Washington. often headed by men
never in Alaska, Gov. RIGGS urged
Congress to pass the development
board bill.
lone suggestion I have to make in
that connection-that the board be
composed of only one man instead
of three" said the governor. Re
fixed. Then let the President of the
United States-republican or demo-
crat--pick a big man for the job.
man Of the caliber Of Secretary Lane
or of Col. Jones. our host"
Other needs of Alaska were pre-
To-
mining Of gold. the increasing of
transportation facilities and the es-
of territorial constabu-
larry, like the Pennsylvania state po-
lice or the northwest mounted police
of Canada
Tells Of Divided Authority.
Col. Jones emphasized the division
of authority over Alaskan affairs by
stating that one department has
another over the brown bear. Often
a bear will have two cubs, one black
and the other brown. and they come
under different departments.
The guests of Col. Jones, besides
the honor guest. were Senators Cham
ginia, Pittman of Nevada. Fernald Of
Maine, FreunghuysenE Of New Jersey.
New OF Indiana, Edge OF New Jersey
ard Glass of Virginia, Representatives
Kahn Of California, W. c. Hawley OF
Oregon. johnson of Washington. Kel-
lev OF Michigan. Crago of Pennsylva-
MA, Dowen Of Iowa, Elston Of Cali
fornia and Hadley of Washington.
Gen. William Mitchell, George B.
Grigsby. Stephen T. Mather, DR.. Will
liam L. Finley, John Oliver La Gorce,
Clifford K. Bergman, John b. Small
wood, Thomas r. Shipp, Capt. r. l..
Faris, Maj. William Bowie and Capt.
W. E. Parker.