The Alaska daily empire., 1920-04-27
ALASKA FUTURE
LOOKS BRIGHT
SAYS GOVERNOR
Territory Was Never More in
Limelight, Gov. Riggs Tells
Seattle Times

Alaska is now more in the line
light at Washington, D. c., than at
any previous time in it's history, and
the future of the territory from
standpoint of favorable legislation is
brighter that at any other period
since the United States took possess
ion of the vast country. This is
the substance of the message brought
| 20 Seattle last night from Washington
| )y Gov Thomas Riggs, Jr. of Alaska
| who spent two wonths at the national
| capital. says the Seattle Times. in
| appearing before Congressional com
| mites and performing other duties
| IN his efforts to get appropriations
| needed for the development of AL
| aska.
While the various committees gave
| him a sympathetic hearing which
| showed more than usual interest in
| he conditions of the North, Gov.
| Riggs said today that there is small
iklihood of his appropriation meas
lres being adopted at this session
| If Congress.
| The Times contains the following
| interview with Gov. Riggs, who has
| Just returned to Juneau
| Alaska wa never more TALKED of
| n Washington than at the rrescr'.
| For that rea sou, ] am sure tina; there
| will be de. srmined effort made
| at the next session of Congress to
| enact remedial laws for Alaska.
There is one bill before Congress
| ,reating a Development board foe Al
| lska to nave authority now vested
| n the various bureas of the national
I capital This board would be com
| ,osed of three members whose home
| must be in Alaska and it would de-
| eide on the spot, all the many
| questions that now go to Washington
| 1000 miles away for settlement. This
s a wonderful progressive step and
| means much to the people of the
North
Il found that the Forestry ser.
ice was willing to allow timber Of
| Alaska to be used for pulp under
ust' terms This should be done,
rhe regulations of the oil leasing
bill now before Congress are such
Is to induce Oil explorations"
Gov. Riggs said that for the first
ime, Congress is considering AlasEa
connection with good roads pro-
,rams He declared that the need
If better highways Is now recognized
Washington.
To Aid Reindeer Industry
1.-THE reindeer industry in ALASKA
promises to grow now that the De-
,artment of Agriculture has an appro-
)riation to promote that industry al
ing commercial lines" continued the
Governor. Veterinarians will be
placed in the Territory to give first
attention to the herds and to de-
yelop the industry as much as posi-
Die. There are now 100000 reindeer
Alaska, most of them controlled by
natives"
The Governor also urged appropri-
,tions for the protection OF game in
Alaska and for the establishment of
i've wireless stations at five different
points in the TerritOry-Hyder Nu-
;hagak, Bethel, BEETLES and Seldovia.
1.-The military committee before
which I appeared seemed to favor the
'equest for the stations ina3much
Is the ten stations now controlled
" the government showed profit
If $4,000 last year." said Governor
Riggs "The hearing on the shipping
bill affecting Alaska was held be-
.ore the Senate committee on COM
nerce. The Territorial argument was
presented by Maurice d. Leehey,
special counsel for the Shipping
Board for the Territory, and Rich
ard M. Semmes, traffic advisor. The
bill, which was favorably received,
seeks to coordinate shipping and
build up a feeder service and levy
a tax on all steamers going to AL
aska The fish bill provides res
trictive measures and would place
the control of the fisheries in Al
aska."
Gov. Riggs said the largest appro
priation sought was for $7.000.O0O for
| the continuation of work on the
new railroad now being constructed
in Alaska Another is for $4,000
| for good roads. One million dol
lars is sought to open up the Matan'
uska coal fields so that coal can
be taken out for the navy.
"As soon as the appropriation is
granted, the coal fields will be oper-
lted at full swing for the navy
Gov Riggs continued. I'VE have
been promised this year VISIT
from squadron of the Pacific
fleet. with Admiral Rodman in com
mand Judging from reports winch
have reached me. construction work
on the new Alaska road is progress
ing splendidly and everything looks
rosy"
SIX MILLION DOLLARS