The Cordova daily times., 1922-10-20
Voice of Alaska Press
COASTAL COUNTRY ENTITLED TO LOCAL
 REVENUES FOR LOCAL ROADS


 Writing in the American Industries magazine pub- lished at New York by the National Manufacturers Association, Governor Bone says:
 The sum of $1 100000 should be available annually to carry out comprehensive road program in Alaska
 By strange anomaly the Bureau of Roads, of the Department of Agriculture which can build roads only in the forest reservations along the cost, has some $1 100000 spend Its projects are largely
 local and contribute in great measure to the general development of the Territory. Not dollar of this fund can be expended outside the forests-not even for the much needed roadway into Mt. Mckinley Park The Bureau is doing it's work well and some of it's projects of decided industrial utility But the fact remains that transportation problems along the coast water problems. Owing to divided au- thority two building agencies the Alaska Road Commission and the Bureau of Roads, with double overhead, operate in Alaska. The Territory wisely merged it's activities with those of the Alaska Road Commission. Efforts to consolidate the two Federal agencies have thus been antagonzed and failed Such building monies for general use would be Of incalcuable value hasenng the development Of the Territory.
 The First Division at least will not agree with Cover nor Bones contention that the funds arising from the National should be put into general road tund for use sections of Alaska than in the neghbor- hood of the forests. The money contributed to road building through the National Forests is 1n lieu o1 loca taxation The system was inauguraed to meet the oo- lection that the contributing nothing to the local development and expenditures through local taxation that made the available and valuable The people living in the vicinity of forests pointed out that if the Government would abondon the forests and permit the lands and resources within them to become private property they would bear their share Of local deVeop ment. But as things the Government was getting the benefit the unearned increment and paying not cent.
 The First Division will not admit transportation
  the roads that the funds and her contribution to the Alaska Fund will pay for, and more Ana the COIL trbutions the First Division to the Alaska Fuho ke the forestry is local taxation and should De uS for local purposes Every mile of road that IS pWlt in Southeastern Alaska makes for additional popu laon and adds the opportunities, profits ana pleaS- ure of the people who reside here.
 There are public lands and natural resources peohs- ing to Federal Government in limitless quanes Ill the vicinity of the Mckinley National Park and contrib utory to the Alaska Railway and in all sections or Alaska where road development is needed
 The Federal Government should do it's part in the development this region do it's part in making valuable and available these Let her, through the Federal Highway scheme through direct appropriations do her part toward the development of her own ana contiguous sections.
 If is not fair to saddle the burden developing all Alaska people and of the coast country The country is also pioneer country It, too in it's infancy If of itself is load enough on sparse population. It is now bearing practcaly all the cost of Territorial treasury to roads, schools and purposes in other sections of the Territory The First Division has borne her share of these contr buttons uncomplaningy and if she is to continue to con tribute to the remainder the Territory she would have it done that way.
 There will be complete agreement with Governor Bone that there should be available $15Oo,O0O veal for road building Alaska Probably that much should be expended in great country that is directly anc indirectly contribuory the Alaska Railway. And the First Division will use all the influence that she has t( induce Congress to make the appropriation of that o a greater sum from the Federal treasury direct o through the National Highway Act.-Juneau Empire.
 Shear Wisdom