The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-09-24


will AUCTIONS that apparently touch prac-
tically every department.
Too much government Well, Alaska does get
a pretty large dose. And, what's more, it's most
ly government mt long range Bear in mind that
nearly all of Alaska's directly or in
directly controlled by the federal government.
About 80 per cent Of the land Is still In govern
ment ownership. The development of coal and
oil deposits is under government leases. Water
powers and fisheries are under federal control,
and nearly all Alaska timber Is in government
ownership
The federal control of Alaska's resources Is
vested In number Of departments and bureaus.
Rules and regulations relating to Alaska affairs,
under the existing statutes must be made by
Washington authorities, who also in large
measure directly charged with their execution.
This long distance administration has been seri-
GUS handicap to the development of Alaska. In
many instances regulations have been made which
did not meet the local requirements and unjust
decisions rendered because those making them
were not familiar with local conditions. This Sit
uation has worked particular hardship on the
operator with small capital, who could not afford
to make the long journey 10 present his argument
In person to the Washington authorities OWING
to the divided authority and the limitations placed
by statutes and appropriations. there mas also peen
a lack Of coordination between various Alaska feo-
eral activities
as the old saying goes-to figure out all the
WAYS In which alaska is governed but here are
some Of them.
The interior department has a large part OF
Alaska's government. The secretary has general
SUPERVISION over the work Of constructing the
government railroad from Seward to Fairbanks
by the Alaskan engineering commission
The commissioner Of the general land office Is
charged with the survey, management and dispo
stion of the public lands In the national forests
(Tongass and Chugach, embracing 2OOOO,OOO
acres) he executes. all laws relating to the
surveying, prospecting, locating and patenting OF
public lands and granting of rights OF way. NOT
witbstanding this the forest service, bureau OF
the agricultural department. mas ciaise "a 'ne
national forests
The secretary of the interior is member with
the secretaries of war and agriculture of the new
water power commission. The commission mas
no funds and no personnel Any investigation Is
done by the geological survey and the forest
service.
The department of agriculture has now contro
over land fur-bearing animals; up to last year
both the department of agriculture and the depart
p,ent Of commerce functioned. Yet the bureau Of
fisheries department Of c0mmerce) Is extensively
raising blue foxes on the Pribiloff islands The
Game laws are enforced by the governor Of Alaska
and the departments of agriculture and commerce
The department Of commerce has charge OF
the fisheries II has jurisdiction over merchant
,asse,s. II takes the census; II has bureau in
charge Of lighthouses; Its coast and geodetic sur
yey makes the charts.
The department Of the treasury has charge of
,be construction and maintenance of public build
ings; Its coast guard protects game and the seal
nd the fisheries; II has public health service
The war department has charge of river and
harbor improvements. 1t has extensive military
cable. telegraph and radio systems In Alaska
which everybody uses, inasmuch as the postofice
department can hardly be said to function there.
The board of road commissioners for ALASKA
WAS created in 1905 by congress. Inc work Is