The Seward gateway., 1922-04-15


 to the doors last night with the people of Seward irrespective of political af- filiations, to hear Delegate Dan Suth- erland render an account of his stew ardship at Delegate from Alaska. The audience sat for an hour and halt wrapt in intense interest as the Dele gate told of the history-making events at Washington in the last year and of his work in Congress in behalf of Alaska. When he had finished speaH- ing his hearers were convinced that Mir. Sutherland had done much to ad- vance the interests of the Territory at the Nations capital.
 | In the absence of Mayor Sam Graf Delegate Sutherland was introduced by | MT. L. V. Ray, who in a few words told of his long acquaintance with MT. Sutherland, whom he eulogized as "an honest, conscientious and sincere man, who had ably performed the duties of l Delegate to Congress from Alaska.
 Delegate Sutherland prefaced his re- marks by the announcement that he had come north to render an account of his stewardship, and incidentally to ask the voters of Alaska to re-elect him as their delegate if in their mind he had made good.
 The Delegate after telling little of i the great happenings at Washington during the past year, went on to take up the various bills he had introduced and which had been passed by con- gress.
 Among these bills is the one permit ting agricultural entries on coal and i, oil lands in the Territory of Alaska. This bill has been pending before Con- gress for over six years, but never suc- ceeded in getting out of committee. When Sutherland introduced the bill considerable opposition developed from the conservationist members of the House which occupied two days debate on the floor of the House. One promi- l nent Southern member declared that 1 the bill was a scheme to turn the coal and gas and minerals in Alaska over i to the big interests. But by consider able effort Delegate Sutherland secur- | ed the passage of the bill and many | homesteaders who have waited for years to get title to their ground may now do so.
 ] Another bill introduced by Suther- land and passed was the bill to en- | large the boundaries of the Mount Mo Kinley Park to take in mountainous region where there Was considerable game and the section was included in the Park to provide protection for this g2me. A bill was introduced in the Senate about the same time as the Sutherland bill in the House and caus- e1 much uneasiness in Alaska because Of the misunderstanding of it's terms The Senate Bill as passed had no ef- IA The general mining laws of the United i States applicable to all public lands applies to the land within the Mount Mckinley National Park.
 The transfer of the Federal building in Seward from the Interior Depart ment to the Department of Justice was also brought about by bill introduced by Sutherland
 The Alaska Road Commission was granted a privilege that it has long desired by the Bill introduced by the Delegate authorizing the Road Com mission to make contracts and dc other matters to facilitate the road ; building in Alaska permitting the , Commission to start work early in the season when the greatest benefits car be obtained for the amount of money spent.
 Delegate Sutherland also introduced a bill and secured it's passage granting a site of land to the Ketchikan Pos of the American Legion. He also se cured the passage of a bill authorizing the use of building of the abandon : ed Post at Fort Davis as hospital al t Nome.
 When it is considered that the Pres : ident has signed only 400 bills since : taking office and considering the grea 5 number of representatives and sena -, tors introducing bills the Representa- tive from Alaska did very well to ge