The Cordova daily times., 1921-08-13
IN ALASKA MUST
 BE UNLOCKED

"Woeful ignorance of Alaska as it Is, coupled with an erroneous policy as to it's government, plus the lock ing up of it's natural resources, are the primary causes for it's tardiness in developing into a populous pros porous empire" Is the way w. c. Besler. president of the Central Rail road of New Jersey, expressed his impressions of Alaska, which he visited on the last trip of the Ala meda.
 ABSORBING ALASKA
 "On my trip to the territory" said Mir Besler. the first thing that inn pressed me was the monumental ig- norance of the average dweller of the eastern states as to what Alaska really Is. have been trying to fol- low the middle ground in my ob- servations and get at the meat of the situation. l talked with many per sons who were pessimistic or knock CTS and met those whose vision en- compasses the things l have ab- sorbed, namely that once the United States relaxes It's grip upon Alaska. gives the people resident here an opportunity to develop it, together with the incentive that follows such opportunitQ, 1t will prove d wonder full asset both 10 Alaskans and the nation. I do not believe in paternal- ism. but believe that Alaska should be turned over to Alaskans and that they be allowed to follow the same system in developing and acquiring natural resources that has been success in tEe states, with the same laws that permitted the inllvidual to exert his pest efforts.
 CONSERVATION 5uGAsoo
 As regards conservation, it ap- pears to have been the bugaboo or the nation. It was conceived in the proper spirit but has been too far-reaching It is true that big in- terests may have acquired the na- tural resources. but the fact remains that they will acquire them anyway. Under the present system the peo- pie of Alaska appear to be deprived of a share in the resources.
 "I cannot see why the men and women who make their homes here and will continue to make this their home, should not be allowed the same laws that worked to the de- velopment of the states.
 GIVE ALAsKANs A CHANGE
 "As regards agriculture, l believe it will not be a success as a means of making money until the other re- sources are developed to a point where the demand for farm products may all be disposed of here. What is needed is not outside markets for foodstuffs but a local market, and from what have seen and been told by well-informed persons Alaska can feed herself and a large popula- tion.
 "In developing natural resources there must be some incentive; some ultimate goal. inspired by the knowl- edge that every man may follow his own initiative in turning to ac- count the things he sets out to achieve, unhampered by restrictions and hindrances that are now mak- ing 1t impossible for him to succeed. MORE LIBERAL LAWS
 There is too much fear that Alaska will be robbed of it's riches. And yet the people living here are not given the opportunity to share in these riches, simply because the present system makes it possible for big interests to develop such re- sources as coal and oil. In the first place the coal leases are not large enough and I understand there are too many hindrances to oil develop ment These things should be changed and the country allowed to develop according to the ideas of those who are pioneering and break ing pround for future growth" "