Evening star., 1922-03-13
Alaska WOULDEN
RULE.0F: RED TAPE''
Fox, Bear and Deer Regu-
lated by Different Depart
ments, Delegate Shows.

ments, Delegate Shows.
With bears cared for by the De-
partment Of Agriculture, seals by
the Department Of Commerce, rein
deer by the Interior Department, one
colony Of foxes by the Department
Of Commerce. and another by Agri=
culture, Alaska will welcome Secre-
tary Falls plan to save the territory
from its present condition Of COM
mercial paralysis" and red tame. ."
Dan Sutherland, delegate for Alaska,
declared Yesterday discussing the
open debate over the transfer Of the
forestry service to the Interior De-
partment.
There has been no exasseration
Mr.. Sutherland said. but declared
that what that territory needed was
something ito halt the decline of
population aid to stimulate industry"
Explaining that he was interested
In the controversy over the transfer
Of the forestry service only SO far
Mr. Sutherland said. III 1t means
that by reason Of differences between
governmental departments the north
ern territory ID to remain bound in
red tape and the development of Its
resources hampered a. IN the past,
while bureau chiefs continue to
fight for administrative power and
thus further complicate and entangle
federal activities OF the territory"
Secretary OF the interior Franklin
K. Lane had published an elaborate
the duplication of federal work in
Alaska. and Secretary John Barton
Payne's interdepartmental board had
reported some excellent recommen-
dations on consolidation Of bureau
work. but no results had been forth
coming.
WaHts simpliaeatfon.
Secretary Fall had been insisting
on simplification Of federal control
began. 1t was pointed out. by statu-
tory provision the territory Of Alaska
Is under the supervision of the Secre-
tary of tho Interior" said the dele
gate, and he then recited a series Of
instances Of some peculiar divisions
OF executive authority"
To-day three bureaus have control
of the public domain" he said. ex-
planning that the forestry reserve.
practically all of-southeastern Alaska,
was under the forestry bureau: tho
bird reserve lands under the biologi-
cal bureau, and. "strangest of all. If
you would lease lond outside OF the
general land ONCE. which may give
you title In fee to homesteads or
manufacturing or trading sites. has
not the authority to lease any part
of the public domain, nor to. permit
the occupancy thereof for any pur-
pose"
Mr.. Sutherland said he had intro
duced a bill in Congress to permit
those engaging in fox farming to OBJ
tain islands and other sections Of the
public lands through the general land
office, but that the biological depart
ment objected. claiming that such au-
thority should be placed with it. The
same claim was made regarding
reindeer grazing lands.
Dispute Over Deer.
THE reindeer were imported" Mr..
the Alaska natives by the Depart
ment Of the Interior and have been
cared for through thirty years Of in
crease by the bureau OF education,
which also cares for the natives To-
day the biological scientists insist
that the care Of the reindeer herds
is their peculiar work.
Zone colony of foxes is cared for by
the Department of Commerce, and
others by the Department Of Agricul-
ture. The Department of Agriculture
cares for the bear, the Department
Of Commercd for the seal, while the
whale seems to roam at will with
out bureaucratic restraint: but what's
the use? Why enumerate?
The Secretary Of the Interior"
continued Mr.. Sutherland. claims
that federal affairs cannot be prop
erly administered under these condi-
tions: the people Of Alaska are in
perfect accord with him and have re-
peatedly expressed themselves to that
effect"
The Secretary of the Interior. Mr..
Sutherland declared. has a more
knowledge Of Alaska's 8
resources than any man living who
has never visited the territory. He
would have these resources developed
through liberal laws that would per-
nit private capital to engage in that
development, or, on the other hand.
he would have them developed by
governmental agencies.
Either method of development will
be welcomed by the residents of the
territory: anything to halt the decline
of population and to stimulate in
dustry. There Is no option other than
liberal laws or governmental opera
ton in relief for Alaska. It could
be allowed to remain In its present
condition Of commercial paralysis.
Secretary Fall, with his knowledge
Of the commercial possibilities OF
Alaska, cannot agree to such a
Dolicy."