Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-10
DEVELOPMENT
Of alaska PLAN
OF PRESIDENT
Secretary Fall and Senator
New Outline Harding's
Policy Before Senate
Committee on Territories
fRs The Associated Press.l

Washington, Nov 9.--It is Pres
ident Harding's policy to develop
Alaska, the senate committee on
territories was informed today by
Secretary Fall. and Senator New,
republican, Indiana, chairman OF
the committee, during hearing on
bills TO consolidate government ac-
tivities in that territory.
1T is the presidents policy to
open up Alaska" Secretary Fall
said. "He intends to direct all
possible effort to that end. ! had
stated to the president that If 1t
was his policy to develop Alaska,
then it was going to be necessary
to coordinate the activities Of the
different departments and bureaus
having to do with Alaska, and that
II 1t was not his plan to develop
the territory and he intended TO
permit present arrangements to
to continue, / would devote my
attention to other matters.
II discussed with the president
his policy toward developing Alas.
ka,' said Chairman New, "and my
bill for coordination was intro
duced in accordance with his
IDEAS"
Too Much Red Tape.
1t would not be possible, Secre-
tary Fall said. to accomplish any
material results in Alaska at pres
ent because of bureaucratic red
tape"
Reduced as much as the ques-
tion can be-" he added, "I am con-
vinced that the forestry division of
the agricultural department should
be added to the interior depart
ment or the functions of the latter
department transferred to the ag-
ricultural department"
Before changes in Alaskan laws
can be considered and the re-
sources properly developed. he con-
tinued, there must be a change in
government administrative policies
There are about thirty-eight bu-
reaus which have some activities in
Alaska. he said, and he recited
numerous instances of confusion
and conflicts which he attributed
in large part to bureaucratic jeal-
ousies and ambition to control"
Merger of Activities.
Although the considered trans
portation in ALASKA an important
question, he said, it was in his opln-
ion subordinate to the consolida-
tion of government activities there.
contending that the natural re-
sources could not be developed
without proper government assist
ance.
If given authority. he said, he
would place the railroad under pri-
vate control as he did not favor
government operation of railroads
or steamships. It would not be
necessary. he added. for the gov
ernment to place in operation
steamship lines connecting rail-
roads and ports of Alaska with the
United States. The suggestion that
the government might do so would
be sufficient, he contended. to pro-
vide adequate steamship commu-
nication by private companies.
He said, however. that he favor
ed using system of small, boats to
connect inland waters and mines
and other properties in Alaska with
the principal ports. Freight rates
to Alaska have, in some instances.
been excessive. he added, but de-
clared he did not know of any dis
ordinations in rates in favor OF
the owners of the lines.
Certain of the lines, he said, had
expressed willingness to sell at
price which would return them 5
per cent on the investment.
Alaskan Forests.
Government forests in Alaska
contain enough pulp wood to sup
CONTINUED on Page Two.)