The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-13
alaska GRAB
BILL EXPOSED
Hapgood Says Resources Would
Be Under Czar-Like Power
II Measure Passes.
By NORMAN HAPGOOD.

- sCSSOopV y 0OOV0s
By NORMAN HAPCOOD.
Legislation with fat in 1t, under
our System. usually gets . good start
in committee, with nobody present
except those with previous knowl-
edge Of what is to be divided. Quiet
ly, almost in solitude. the House
Committee on Territories. presided
over by Representative Charles F.
Curry, today began hearings on q
gigantic plan to hand the resources
Of Alaska over to q commission re-
sponsible to nobody.
CALLS BILL AUDACIOUs.
If this sudacious bill goes through
IL makes cxars out OF the commits
sioners. They are not responsible
to any department Of the Govern
ment. They are not responsible TO
Congress. They are not responsible
oven to the President of the United
states.
Short of actual malfeasance, they
can sit out their six-year terms with
no control. giving away natural
resources In one-sixth of the ter
ritory of the United States with a
freedom from Interference that
would have aroused Jealousy in
william Hohensoliern at his zenith.
Another fascinating feature of
audacity, that really ought to be
filmed, 10 that this completeness Of
power holds only while the commits
sion Is giving things away. II II
refuses to give them up then there
Is provided an appeal. II were
~ hs.vo 4
be funny with that for half a
column.
The subject of what do with
Alaska was brought up In a Cabinet
meeting nine days ago. Tomorrow
letter from Secretary Wallace, of
the Department of Agriculture. ought
to be received by Chairman Curry
Also 1t Ia expected that Secretary
Fall will be heard from.
Betting on the curb Is that Mr.. Wal
lace will handle the proposal with
roughness. and that even Mr.. Fall will
find II too stiff
As the bill creating the commission
stands today, 1t turns over absolute
ly the forests, the unreserved public
lands, the waterpower. the agricui-
tural experiment stations. the fisher
les and the migratory birds.
But do not worry about the rest OF
the resources. This type Of bills In
always managed adroitly. BY leaving
the railroads, the mines and the oil
to be slipped in by amendment later.
a familiar political method is adopted.
ONE WITNESS CALLED.
There WAS one witness yesterday.
He was z. A. sherman. associate for
ester. Chairman Curry went back at
him along one line, namely. that under
the present system, Alaska was not
developing fast enough.
Mr.. Sherman seemed to think that
cloak a thin one. He pointed out that
the bill takes away the waterpower
from a national waterpower commits
sion especially created for such pur-
poses; it takes away all the functions
of the Department Of Agriculture, the
Department of Commerce and the
General Land office.
sherman explained to the committee
why Alaska Is not growing faster.
The population grew rapidly from 1890
to 1900. IL was about stationary from
1900 to 1910. 1t has decreased since
then. The decrease is due to the ex-
haustion of the Nome fields, a hap
pc ming that was seen over and over
again in our Western States in the
pioneer stage.
Last spring committee was sent
by Judge Payne to Seattle to hold
hearings on what was needed to de.
velop Alaska The testimony of every
body was that a man cannot AFFORD
to take advantage OF the agricultural
possibilities there. which are great, at
the present rail and water rates.
BY tho time he has transported him
self. his family and his equipment. he
has made a big investment.
ALAskA's HANDICAPs.
After he gets there he can get good
grain and meat with his own hands
for a large family. but he cannot
make any money. There is no ascessi-
BILE market IL Alaska were along
side Dakota 1t would be settled up.
as Mr.. Sherman put II, in from three
to Ave years.
This agricultural situation will
change as the mines. railroads. and
other industries develop. The Depart
ment of Agriculture is using its ex-
pertinent stations to avoid for the
settler the errors that ruined so many
| bold pioneers in our Western settle
ments.
The Governments handling OF the
| forests also Is based on the intention
of having a future settled population
IN. Alaska There is an estimated
stand of 100000, 900 cords OF wood
pulp. Instead of having those trees
torn of hastily to give a few in
dividuals the unearned increment, the
Government means to turn them into
stable Industry.
The fisheries are being rapidly de-
pleted by over-exploitation. The
Eame and fur resources would lose
their protection IL the new bill should
become law. All these national
interests are now being looked after
by an nter-departmental committee
formed last fall under the leadership
of Secretary Meredith. and Secretary
Wallace 10 expected to continue 1t.
| A contest has also been going on
| for the governorship Of Alaska. The
most prominent candidates have been
James Wickersham and f. c. Ha1litt,
but the position is likely to go to
Scott Bone.
Emma chi hMAN ASKS