The Cordova daily times., 1921-06-16
WALLACE SAYS ALASKA ENTITLED TO SAME
 HELP EXTENDED TO STATES

years of nationwide controversy over federal hydro-electric power legisn- tion. After long debate it was fin ally agreed that uniformity of policy and action was essential to the sound and prompt development of our water powers The federal power commission is just now getting es- tabhshed, and it is reasonable to expect that under it's administration the development of water power throughout the nation will be promot- ed on sound and economic lines. This is matter of great importance to Alaska. As I have pointed out. the manufacture of paper is likely to be one of the dominant industries in that territory. A large supply of tim Der and an abundant supply of water power are essential to that industry. The erection of pulp mills and the development of hydro.electric power in southeastern Alaska will go hand in hand. Therefore, it would be most unfortunate if that territory should be deprived of the services of the federal power commission, and the power resources of Alaska placed in the hands of such board as it Is now proposed to create and deprived of the help of all the governmental organizations from which otherwise it might secure technical assistance and advice.
 There seems to be feeling that development in Alaska has been re- tarded through restrictive federal control. Her decrease in population has been used to support such con- ltention. A very slight study of the history of Alaska will show that there is small foundation for the notion that government restrictions have retarded development in that territory
 Aside from furs and fisheries Alas ka's first great commercial stimulus came from the bonanza gold discov- cry in the klondike in 1896 The principal route to the Yukon region was through American territory The majority of the people. who joined Ill the stampede across Whitehorse pass were from the states. Naturally, they spent great deal of money in Alaska as they went in and came out, and while the boom continued that part of Alaska, as well as Seat tie, flourshed.
 The discovery of the rich gold re- glons at Nome resulted in a large placer mining population on the Sew ard peninsula, while the discovery of the rich placers in the Fairbanke re- zion in 1902 was followed by stam- pede which made Valdez a great point tof entry. AS the yield of gold de- clined the population declined, and today, Nome retains probable not more l than 10 per cent of her former max imum population, while Fairbanks contains few more except that a small agricultural community has sprung up there. The decrease in the white pop- ulation is due largly to the playing out of the mining industry, and not to restrictive regulations imposed by the federal government We have many similar illustrations in the states; flor example, Virginia City, Montana; Warren, Idaho; and Boise Basin. The camps at the latter point once boasted of population of ap- proximately 20,000 Today there are probably fewer than 500 people there. Between 1916 and 1919 the production of gold Alaska dropped nearly 45 per cent and the labor employed in any form of mining was reduced one-half. We must remember that up to the present time men have not usually gone to Alaska with the thought of making their homes there. The purpose has been to make a stake" and get out
 We have now come to a time when economic conditions should bring about gradual development of Alas kan industeries with a corresponding increase in population. This develop men should bo on sound basis and not the result of temporary and reck- less exploitation of public property.
 The needs of Alaska would not be met by the enactment of this measure and the establishment of this board
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