The Alaska daily empire., 1921-12-06
GOVERNOR ASKS GO ORDINATION
 GOVT AGENCIES
Continued rrom Page Three.)


 Continued rrom Page Three) creased 10000 A liberal estimate today would not place the white population in excess of 30000 as against the perhaps inadequate off cial figures of 27,000 compiled in the winter season of 1920
 The Territ0ry's loss in population is strikingly significant in that it does not largely affect the natives whose number, approximately 27O00, by census count. shows a compara lively small ratio of decrease. de- spite serious epidemics and toll of deaths therefrom during the ten years,
 Natives Not Dying Off.
 Apparently the popular theory that the Natives, Indians and Eskimos, are fast dying off is not sustained by fact Improved modes of living seem to be making for harder races of Natives. That the reindeer in dustry, which has assumed an in portant magnitude, has contributed to the bodily, as well as material, welfare of the Eskimos is readily to be believed.
 Of the present. white population of from 27,000 to 30,000, it may be safely said that so per cent is per manent-that is, made up of people who have cast their lots in Alaska and become fixtures. A transient population of several thousand in the summer season. the bulk of it en gagged in the fisheries, is not emu merated by the census.
 Decrease Not Explained.
 Allowing for the drain made by the World War upon Alaska and the fail ure of many enlisted and drafted men to return after the Armistice-a fact emphasized in every analysis of census figures-and taking into ac- count, also, the exhaustion of placer fields and the curtailment in the operation of quartz enter prises, due to adverse economic con ditions resulting from the war, the decrease of 10000 in Alaskas popu- lation is still unexplained. Causes other than those cited certainly en- tered into the extraordinary equation.
 During the decade showing such marked decline the Government was constructing railroad and taking the first step toward opening the Territory at an expenditure of many millions This in itself, in centering attention upon Alaska, should have attracted both capital and people and made for substantial growth and But it did not. Clear ly this is to be aseribed to the failure, to put into effect with the building of the railroad broad poli- cies of development, and, above all, to make it easier for capital and people to get a foothold in Alaska.
 Obstacles Halt Progress.
 Capital and people are ever alert to grasp opportunities. especially such natural opportunities as Alaska presents for investment and settle ment, but where obstacles are en- countered and vexatious delays ex- perienced, as has been proverbially the case under a bureaucratic ad ministration of affairs of this Terri tory, capital and people turn to other fields of endeavor.
 A changed and simplified system of government, with liberalized laws and regulations, is manifestly re- quired. if Alaska would regain lost population and stimulate growth
 The census figures of 1910 and 1920 constitute a powerful argument in favor of new order of things in the interest of Alaska and the coun try as a whole.
 General Conditions.
 Alaska has not progressed or pros pered during the last fiscal year, or, indeed since the conclusion of the World War It has felt seriously the effects of abnormal conditions pre- vailing everywhere. The Territory, while responding to all calls during the war with characteristic generos- ity, did not share appreciably in war prosperity, save in the proportions attained by the fishing industry and the greatly increased production of copper. These did not contribute as materially as might be supposed to the Territory's general prosperity.
 Alaska's splendid contributions to the support of the war probably rep resented moro of actual giving rela lively than could be claimed for any state in the Union Its patriotism was magnificent and substantial. no alone in money, but quite as magnifi cent in men
 Having attained no high level il industrial and commercial activities attending the war, the Territory es capped the full measure of reaction experienced in many quarters of tn, Union following the war Neverthe less, high prices and the unnatura overhead charges produced as th' result of war have had and are stil ! imposing most serious effects on al industrial activities in Alaska. Mining at a profit has. been ren