The Cordova daily times., 1922-11-15
GOSPEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF
 ALASKA SPREAD BY GOV. BONE
 THROUGHOUT UNITED STATES

Salt Lake, Los Angeles, San Francis co, Portland, Seattle and other fine cities in the inter-mountain and coast regions would be mere frontier towns, if they existed at all. AS great statesman as Daniel Webster early in the last century argued that the coun- try west of the Rocky mountains was unworthy of consideration. He was in error, just as statesmen of our day have erred as to Alaska.
 Criticism of bureaus operating in Alaska is not implied in criticism of the bureaucratic system. Such bu- reaus, in the main, are useful, if not invaluable, for the expert and techni' cal service they render. They were created for this purpose. But it was never intended that they should exer- else the administrative functions which they have assumed. Operating large ly at long range they have contrived to establish system that has retard- ed progress, halted enterprise and be- come oppressive.
 "A consolidation Of the essential bu- reaus under one department at Wash ington, with the administration brought closer home to Alaska, is the prerequisite of progress and prosper. ity in Alaska. It must be made easier for people and capital to gain foot hold in Alaska.
 "The late Franklin K. Lane, as sec retary of the Interior, did his best to correct this system, and put Alaska upon basis of constructive develop ment, but failed He indicted red-tap- ism with all the power at his com mand, but the war diverted attention from the Territory and negatived his efforts.
 Secretary Fall, Territorial man. and grasping Territorial problems, be- lieves in Alaska and stands for con- structive, upbuilding policies, just as Secretary Lane stood for such policies Supported by the President there is every promise that his efforts will not prove futile Indeed, measure of coordination has already been se' cured.
 "The need of co-ordinated and cen tralized administration of Alaskan af fairs is so obvious that it is not today combated in any well-informed guar ter and needed legislation will assur. edly be forthcoming.
 "The government railroad, extend ing 467 miles from Seward to Fair, banks, with branch line to the Mat anuska coal fields, is completed, save for a mammoth 7OO-foot, single-span steel bridge over the Panama river at Nenana. A twice-a-week through-train service is now maintained over the entire line, with transfer at Nenana, and there was no interruption of the service during the winter. It has re- duced the cost of necessities of life to people of the Interior 50 per cent and upwards and greater reduction will follow.
 "The completion of this project, under the handicap of distance and natural difficulties, demonstrates that the government can do such work and do it well. It has involved the aggre' gate expenditure of $56,00O000. It is worth it. It is the first great step to- ward the development of Alaska. It will pay-not immediately in divi' dends of dollars and cents, but in benefit to Alaska and the country at large. The future will demonstrate the wisdom of the investment, assum- ing that the government intends to meet other urgent needs of the Terri. tory.
 "For the first time in fifty-five years save for the export of few tons ol Ignite years ago, Alaska coal is now being supplied to local markets. The government has expended $1,500,0OO in developing the coal fields of the Matanuska district and erecting a mammoth coal cleaning plant. Alaska will at no distant day be equipped to compete with British Columbia and Utah and Colorado coal on the Pacific coast. Private enterprises are branch ing out on the line of the railroad and there is promise of additional big capital and further coal production It is to be taken for granted that the government will not po into the coal.