The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-03
PLANS TODEVELOP
WEALTH OF ALASKA
Congressman Curry Introduces
Bill Designed to Promote
Prosperity Of Country.

Alaska, often called the national
storehouse, could be made a source OF
wealth and prosperity not only to the
residents of the Territory. but to the
United States in general under q
broad, comprehensive and sympa-
thetic policy, today declared Con
gresham Curry OF California. chair
man OF the House Territories Com
mittee, who has introduced a bill re-
organizing the methods OF admins
tering laws regulating the develop
ment OF the country.
Must Amend Lawn
1--WE have got to amend our laws
so far as they apply to Alaska, so as
to make II possible for a man to g.
to Alaska with opportunity OF better
ing his condition." said Mr.. Curry.
There is no reason for man 10
leave civilization and go to Alaska
when he can make more money In San
Francisco OF New York. j am going
TO present measures that will permit
Of the private development of Alaska
The land area of Alaska, continued
Mr. Curry, is 37S,l65. $50 acres. The
climate in portions of southeastern
Alaska is more temperate and more
equitable than that of Washington.
while much of the northern portion
has a milder climate than Stockholm
or Petrograd.
Large areas in the Interior valleys
have fertile soil. and will produce
cereals, vegetables, berries and hay.
Enormous deposits of gold. copper,
coal. and other minerals have been
discovered. and the unexplored areas
will be found probably to contain
A
ton is less than $4,000 white inhabi-
tants.
Needs Development
"Therc Is but one railroad OF any
length or Importance in full opera
ton" said Mr.. Curry. land that Is a
private road built primarily for tho
purpose of reaching and developing
mineral properties held by the owners
of the road. There are safe harbors
and feasible passes for terminal Ia
cilities and for pushing transporta-
ton lines from the coast to the great
valleys Of the interior.
~There may be mentioned four pri-
mary reasons which, under existing
laws and conditions. prevent the prop
er development of Alaska and her re-
sources: Lack Of TRANSPORTATION facil-
tiles, lack of available fuel. lack OF
laws especially adapted to the peculiar
conditions and public resources OF
Alaska.
Difficulty Of administering laws and
expeditiously transacting business
with present facilities because OF the
difficulty Of communication with
Washington. and because Of the fact
that most of the men who administer
the laws have a very limited knowl-
edge of the territory.
Saving In Tine.
THE distance from Washington TO
Sitka is 1000 miles; to Fairbanks.
Zoo miles: to Nome, 5,4O0 miles.
Journeys into the interior, with rare
exceptions, must be made on foot or
with a dog team. Long winters and
heavy SHOWS constitute obstacles OF
serious import
1.-THE disposition and administration
OF natural resources directly by a
resident commission would effect an
enormous saving in time and money
to those citizens having to deal with
public lands and resources and would
remove the repeated complaints OF
delay. Longrange Government has
never been a success anywhere; Alas
ka is no exception.
So small an area Of the public lands
and so few Of the natural resources
Of Alaska have been disposed Of that
the Territory constitutes virgin
field for trial Of new and improved
laws and regulations governing such
disposition and use.
There are not present the vested
and conflicting interest the long prac-
ticc. and the many possessory rights
which exist in the public lands of the
United States proper, and which offer
a barrier to change in law, admins
ration and procedure"