Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-20
ALASKAN DEVELOPMENT

ALASKAN DEVELOPMENT
Alaska, which includes one sixth
the area of the United States, and is
admitted TO be potentially very rich
In resources, naturally becomes an
object of interest to such as are seek
ing fields for enterprise. Not all these
are wise and, presumably, not all are
honest. Rarely has there been found
among those who exploit natural re-
sources conservative, far-seeking
purpose. Instead 1t usually is neces-
sary to regulate their efforts. De
veloping rather than exploiting is
what is wanted and is very difficult
TO obtain, and will continue to be SO
long as commercial profits measure
the success of the undertaking.
Chairman Curry of the House Ter
ritories committe has introduced a
hill over which Secretary Fall of the
Interior Department and Secretary
Wallace of the Agricultural Depart
ment, as well as others, are at odds.
The So called conservation agencies
are lining up in opposition. The
author of the measure retorts that it
is too much to expect approval from
all the fifty-seven varieties of bureau
officials who now govern Alaska from
Washington, and that he has never
known this long range government
to be good. This is in accord with
public experience and the public
mood. Government management is
not in good odor just now, and with
reason. On the other hand the other
extreme should be avoided.
We know there must be regulation
to prevent the destruction OF natural
resources; we have our lobster laws,
laws to protect the birds. and in con-
nection with this controversy about
the method for developing Alaska, we
have the laws protecting the fur seal
herds of those waters. At first it was
questioned whether protective regu-
Iations could restore those herds
but 1t is said that they have
rapidly increased and are source Of
revenue to the government Under
government regulations the reindeer
have been introduced into Alaska and
the future of that endeavor is bright
Under this Curry bill there would
be established in the Interior Depart
ment an Alaskan Development Blu
reau. taking over the activities now
conducted in several departments,
Agriculture, Interior and Federal
Water Commission. Secretary Wal
lace states that this would take con-
troll over the national forests, water
powers. bird reservations, agricul-
tural experiment stations, fisheries.
game and fur-bearing animals and
the reserved public lands of the ter
ritory. 1t would have sweeping
authority. If the proposed board
should refuse to grant or renew any
application, entry, patent, lease, per-
NIT, license or other privilege the
applicant is given the right to appeal
to the Secretary Of the Interior with
in sixty days; but if. on the other
hand, the board should grant the ap-
pdcation, that would end the matter"
That residents of Alaska should
wish to handle their resources in
their own way is but natural and no
doubt they have been embarrassed and
annoyed by this long distance gov
eminent This, however, affords no
good ground for throwing down the
barriers altogether The whole 6oun-
try Is interested in the resources of
Alaska and has helped to bring them
to their present development. This
government is bound by treaty in this
matter of preserving the seal herds.
is bound to pay over to certain other
countries some Of the revenues there
from. Mr. Curry declares there is no
reason to suppose these resources
would be wasted under his proposed
plan.
Out OF these conflicting opinions.
colored somewhat no doubt by jeal-
ousy between the departments, ma
nipulated by special interests looking
for special favors. it is for Congress-
70 nnd the right course. It. may be
well to bear In mind, however, that
when talk is made about what the
residents Of Alaska want. not infre-
duently the representatives of inter-
ests seeking fields of exploitation, are
meant
When did the old proverb. What
man has done man can do" cease to
apply to the running OF railroads?---
Boston Transcript.
When they snapped the proverb