The Wrangell sentinel., 1921-01-13

1 SSuoOiS III tuCSC SoihtiluuitiSS.
 That the Territory is at present bearing a heavy burden in So far as the education of the Native popula- ton of Alaska is concerned is, how ever, true. During the school year IoIo-2o, approximately Soo, 900 was expended for the education of the o2I children of Native blood en- rolled in the public schools. Of the total number of Native children enrolled in the public schools more than So per cent attend the so-called Nelson schools which are schools in communities situated outside of incorporated towns. The Federal government should recompense the Territory for this expenditure.
 Where two distinct races of peo- pie are thrown together the prob lem of their social coordination is usually present This problem be- comes more difficult of solution as the number of generations of cul- ture and civilization which separ. ates the races increases. There are three things which at present stand in the way of a unified sys- tenn of education in Alaska.
 "(1) The economic status and hereditary tendencies of the Native which render it exceedingly difficult for him to conform to the standards of the Territorial schools in the matter of regularity and punctuality of attendance. A compulsory edu- cation law would without doubt, remedy this matter to some extent but not to the degree which would be necessary if the general good of the majority of the pupils is made the chef concern of the schools.
 "(2) The inability of the aver age Native to conform to the rules of home sanitation and bodily cleanliness which should be ol- served by children attending the r,,, h1io ccb oole
 "(s) The prevalence of infec- tious diseases among the Native population in a great many com. munities.
 Medical inspection and the work of the health officers would do something toward remedving the conditions set forth in the two fore going paragraphs but could be no substitute for what is really needed before the Native can be placed on the same plane as the white race, namely, generations of time in which to continue the development already begun.
 The question in my mind is not of race but of whether or not the Native can conform to the neces- sary standards. The determining factors in any solution of the prob- lem should be the highest good of the greatest number. From this standpoint segregation of the white race seems necessary.
 John Barton Payne. Secretary of the Department of the Interior, has this to say regarding the Am. erican Indian: To place all Indi- ans on a plane of business equality with the whites will take genera tions, and those good people who by legislation unduly hasten this period and thrust the responsibility upon the Indian of dealing with the white men before he is able to do so are dolng the Indian serious injury
 There is considerable difference of opinion as to the legal status of the Alaska Native. Should it be decided definitely that incorporated towns are responsible for the edu- cation of Alaska Natives who reside within the corporate limits, then one possible solution of the prob lem would be the maintenance by the incorporated towns of separ- ate school for Natives until such time as the continued progress of the Native makes this action un- necessary.