The Alaska daily empire., 1921-06-09
ALASKA AND CONSERVATION.

While the picture presented by J. J. Underwood relative the situation arising Alaskan policies confronting President Hartings administration is probably overdrawn a considerable degree there is enough fact contained therein to make it uncom- fortable for Alaska Mir. Underwood's assertion that the believers in the doctrines that wrecked the Taft administration * have become firmly entrenched in the Department of Agriculture and have con verted Mr. Wallace their belief seems not entirely justified by the facts in hand
 One and perhaps the sole foundation for the as seron is the opposition MT. Wallace to the Curry Development Board Bill expressed in letter to MT Curry. This evidence lacks much of being con vincing that Mr. Wallace is a-conservationst of the Pinchot type. There many Alaskans who, although for different than those offered by MT Wallace, look with askance at Mir Curry's plan. These Aaskans not conservationists as the word is used by MT Underwood nor have they any sympathy with the principles advocated by that class. they do see menace to the Territory in the Curry plan unless it is accompanied by a much larger degree of self-government for Alaska than is now possessed. Mr. Currys plan has much in it that appeals tc Alaskans but it is not perfect MT. Wallaces op- position to it should not brand him as an ultra conservatonist. The people of the Territory do not look with favor on his advocacy of continued govern ment by bureaus, but they will hesitate to condemn him as being one who would lock the doors to all development until further proof is at hand
 MT. Underwood's criticism the Forest. Service in so Tar as 1t affects the selling timber in Alaska has some foundation in at least particular The buyer Of any tract of timber which exceeds a five year supply Tor the purchaser does not know def initely what he will charged on renewed scale of prices at the end of the first fveyear period It is true that contracts for timber supply for 45 years may be had, but the initial price paid holds good for only live years. Individuals and firms dealing with the Forest Service in connection with timber sale
 hu other matters during the last few years, however nave reported most liberal dealings fin all respers u mas been suggested by interested parties expecting tc enter the Alaskan field in the pulp industry that the Government include in it's contract some form or guarantee that purchasers of raw aerial will whenever it becomes necessary to fix revised price scale not be charged so heavily that it will make ii
 impossible Tor them to compete with British Columbia manufacturers, Such guarantee would not be un lair to the Government nor more than is justly due those investing money in Alaskan enterprises
 MT Underwoods conclusion is grave enough to be given serious consideration Summarized ii Is to the effect that if the Harding administration even 'ioush us bureaus pursues the policy already in ltlated o granting leases oil lands or coal lands or timber or other natural resources in the Territory to legitimate investors those investors make sohaDie profits. everything being considered an at tack IS sure to be made the adm nstration hy tho so-called ryatonsts who have money and know the puohcity game" If such of affairs is to develop no matter what the outcome of it may he for 1he Harding administration, it is bound to iniure the ieiri'ory. Money Is shy about entering field in "hich u cannot be reasonably protected and people "" capital VIII De slow about investing it in Alaskan enterprises If there is any to conclude that the near future will witness repetition of the muck raking days of a decade ago
 u Is to be devoutly hoped that Mr. Underwood is anio"lng resentment disappointment over the op- position which has developed against the Curry bill .o o'ershauow mature judgment and influence him .nto arriving at an estimate of the real "A'ooeioH' aidshdn can do nicely without Hence of the Ballinger-Pinchot row