The Cordova daily times., 1921-05-24
CHANGING THE CAPITAL

Speaking of the attempt to remove the capital from Juneau to Seward, the Ketchikan Chronicle says, "It is quite in keeping with the combination of northern legislators, who would have the First division pay all the bills of the territorial government for the benefit of the divisions to the north.'
 This sounds good to those persons who live in the First division, and might pass by many in other divisions unless the treasurer's' report for the present session of the legislature is perused carefully. When it will be seen that the balance of the territory appears to exist for the purpose of supporting the First division, as wit ness the report of the publicity bu- reau, also the printing bills and other division up to last year or so was far behind the Third division in returns to the territorial treasurer's report will show.
 The following is taken from the Chronicle:
 Juneau is much worked up over the attempt that is being made by cer- tain legislators from the north to move the capital from Juneau to some other point to the westward or far north. The introduction of a me- morial to congress for that purpose, although without reason, is not sur prising. It is quite in keeping with the combination of northern legislators who would have the first division pay all the bills of the territorial govern ment for the benefit of the divisions 10 the north.
 "If the legislature is desrous of giv- ing the westward a capital city, it would appear that they should all work along different lines. They should throw their energies in sup port: of measure to divide the ter ritory, to make the panhandle one territory and the great empire to the north another. They could then place their capital wherever they saw fit.
 "1n fact the present legislature leads to the conviction, or rather strengthens the conviction held here to, that Alaska should be divided into two territories. The country is too large, the interests too widely separ ated for complete harmony. The legis- lature is desirous of putting some matters up to a referendum so why should they not now put the matter of dividing the territory up to the vote of the people.
 ''The people of the westward can support the measure and get capital of their own, while those of the First division may gratify their ambition for separation. It would also be the most impressive manner of present. ing the matter to congress.
 "Anent the attempt of northern leg islators to move the Capital from Ju- neau, word of warning might be sounded for the people of Juneau. In every town in Alaska there is a belief that Juneau tries to hog everything that comes along in the way of politi- cal preferment, offices and officers, and for that reason there is little sympathy with the capital city now.
 "There is no argument now in favor of moving the capital anywhere, nor was there any reason a few months ago why the headquarters of the for estry bureau in Alaska should be or dered changed to Juneau. And Juneau may now realize to some extent how others feel to be deprived of some thing which has been theirs for years.
 "In the matter of appointments to be made under the Harding admins tration, Juneau is attempting to hog everything in sight. They want the surveyor generalship, the marshal ship, the district attorneyship, the collector of customs and what not They undoubtedly will be strongly