The Seward gateway., 1922-02-25
MORE BUsINESS-LESS POLITICS
By George R. Goshaw


 are interested in and we'll informed about conditions in Alaska, the year 1922 will witness big increase in all lines of business and in new develop ment of the natural resources within the Territory It is not to be boom as in old stampede days of 1900, but a general revival-a sign that the indom- nitable Alaskan spirit heavy laden these past few years with government tai neglect, fed up full with months of gloom, is once more beginning to live, to awaken in ch manner that indi- cates new progress, better conditions for business and for the people who are pioneering Alaska.
 That Alaska Spirit when fully arous ed being progressive, is unconquera be. However, 1t is badly handicapped it is lacking in organization; busi ness organizat ton. This progressive business spirit means when organized an increase in business--new develop ment-better governmental conditions. Yet all depends entirely upon the sin cere activity of the many business or ganizations throughout the Territory.
 In every town and every camp in Alaska, there is a local commercial or ganization that attempts to supply Go,, hot ment, and in most instances it begins and ends without accomplishing its ob- jective. Sometimes-it has happened as you we'll know, that when one busi- ness organization advanced a project for it's own good-its nearest neighbor organization would immediately com mence fight and such disputes do not, as a rule, advance the business in terests of either section.
 In every state of the Union, in all Territories, other than Alaska, there is a State or Territorial Chamber of Commerce, it's membership being com posed of the different commercial and business organizations within the State or Territory.
 It is a known fact that such central organizations have done much good, otherwise they would not exist-they will always live, the progressive spirit Of the American Business Man knows full we'll that they are created for his benefit and for the greater benefit of the entire country at large.
 Therefore, tn evarious Alaskan busi- ness organizations should united under one central or mother organization. In regular convention create a business program of development for the pur pose of advancing the industrial and commercial interests of the Territory
 Each community, every camp, town, and all sections of Alaska have some thing to sell, some resource to develop Active, intelligent assistance and CO., operation is required to properly place such a proposition before those inter- ested A Territorial Chamber of Com merce will do these things in such a manner-a central organization will supply facts and figures to new pros pective business contemplating locat- ing within the Territory.
 A central business organization could "pool' all the various require ments and when placing these orders in the States it would obtain lower prices, lower outside wharfage rates lower transportation rates-it would obtain bfetter passenger service, for always it would dominate fairly, the entire situation. Today, Alaskans are paying freight on empty cargo space, and the great overhead costs of three water transportation companies and several independent carriers Why such exists, is that Alaskans do not get together in central business or ganization for their protection.
 The one reaso why you do not get together is because, in my opinion, there has always been Too Much Pol. itics-there has always been the ever present territorially wide cry of the vendors of politics that Elect me to office and I will reduce transportation rates, lessen taxation, and bring into the Territory new industries and need ed capital for the development of the vast natural resources" Get this: it is to your knowledge and mine, that politicians, whomsoever they might have been and whomsoever they might be-neVer have and never will reduce