The Seward gateway., 1922-01-24
THE DIVISION OF ALASKA

THE Commercial Clubs of Juneau and of Ketchikan are strenuously ad- vocating a division of Alaska into two or more territories. The argument for such division is that the interests of the First division are not in line with those of the other divisions, and that the First is forced to expend moneys contributed by it for the support of the other divisions.
 While majority of the residents of the Second, Third and Fourth divi- sions would prefer to see the Terri tory remain one and indivisible, with the capital removed to a more central location, there should be very little opposition to such division.
 The First division is not identified with Alaska proper. It has always been more or less identified with Can adian interests, patronizing Canadian vessels, working with Canadian capi- Se'h eAAo NSpShdlAS upOu Cduduldu trade from the Yukon district to add to its resources. With the possible exception of timber it is not as rich in resources as the other divisions in Alaska; it has consistently hogged all territorial boards and offices; and has been more or less burden upon the rest of the Territory, which has con- tributed sixty-fve per cent of it's SUD- pot. As an independent Territory it would be nearly self-supporting and would be compact, hiShly-settled area nearly as large as the State of Washington.
 Take the case of the Alaska Road Commission with present headuuar- ters at Juneau. The larger part of it's work is in the northern divisions, and its officials must come hundreds of miles to get to the scene of opera tions. There are few roads in the First division, but the commission maintains two boats to visit the nu- merous islands and towns It is a
 'a of money having the headouar- ters so far from the work; farther than from San Francisco to Seattle. Think of road official running up from Frisco to oversee roadwork near Seattle
 In case of a division of the Terri tory, for the first few years the coun. try north of the Yukon, including the Nome district, would be a heavy bur den on the Third and Fourth divisions as it has few resources other than with the foremost division in Alaska gold or fur. With the growing Sibe- rian trade, however, it would rank in wealth, If winter transportation could be assured
 Whatever the choice of the people, ahd it should be submitted to a vote Nf the people, the time is at hand when something must be done to re- lieye conditions. in both the First and in other divisions. The Territory is too large, too unwieldy, too varied in it's resources and needs to remain one Territory The fisheries and tim Der lie in the First and Third divi-I sions, the gold and the furs in the Second and Fourth. Laws protecting game in the southern division are use less in the northern ones; to take a trip to Juneau means a sea voyage of nearly week. By connecting with the government railroad at Seward Nome residents would be saved trip of a thousand miles out of the way to get to the capital or the Interior They are now compelled to travel to Seat tie thence back to Juneau; then back to Seattle and over the former route home.
 By all means let us have division of he Territory if we cannot reach an agreement by other methods.