The Nome nugget., 1922-01-28

l creased 10000. A liberal estimate today would not place the white population in excess of 30.0OO as against the perhaps inadequate off, cial figures of 27.00O compiled in the winter season of 1920.
 The Territory's loss in population Is strikingly significant in that 1t does not largely affect the natives, whose number approximately 27.O00. by census count, shows a compara- lively small ratio of decrease. de- spite serious epidemics and toll of deaths therefrom during the ten years.
 Apparently the popular theory that the Natives. Indians and Eskim0s. are fast dying off. is not sustained by fact. Improved modes of living seem to be making for hardier races of Natives. That the reindeer in- dustry, which has assumed an im- portant magnitude. has contributed to the bodily. as well as material. welfare of the Eskimos is readily to be believed.
 Of the present white population of from 27.00O to 3O,00o. it may he safely said that 80 per cent Is per- manent-that is. made up of people who have cast their lots in Alaska and become fixtures. A transient population of several thousand in the summer season. the bulk of 1t engaged in the fisheries. is not emu merated by the census.
 Allowing for the drain made by the World War upon Alaska and tho failure of many enlisted and drafted men to return after the Armistice- a fact emphasized in every analysis of census figures-and taking into account. also. the exhaustion of placer mining fields and the curtaii- ment in the operation of quartz en- terprises. due to adverse economic conditions resulting from the war. the decrease of 10000 in Alaska's population is still unexplained. Causes other than those cited cer- tainly entered into the extraordinary equation.
 During the decade showing such marked decline the Government was constructing a railroad and talk ing the first step toward opening the Territory at an expenditure of many millions. This in itself, in centering attention upon Alaska, should have attracted both capital and people and made for substantial growth and development. But it did not Clearly this is to be ascrib- ed to the failure to put into effect with the building of the railroad broad policies of development. and, above all, to make it easier for capi- tai and people to get foothSd in Alaska.
 Capital and people are ever alert to grasp opportunities. especially such natural opportunities as Alaska presents for investment and settle ment. but where obstacles are en- countered and vexatious delays ex- perienced. as has been proverbially the case under a bureaucratic ad- ministration Of affairs of this Terri tory. capital and people turn to other fields of endeavor.
 A changed and simplified system of government. with liberalized laws and regulations, is manifestly re- quired. if Alaska would regain lost population and stimulate growth.
 The census figures of 1910 and 1920 constitute a powerful argument in favor of new order of things in the interest of Alaska and the coun- try as whole.
 General Conditions.
 Alaska has not progressed or pros rered during the last fiscal year. or. indeed, since the conclusion of the World War. It has felt seriously the effects of abnormal conditions prevailing everywhere. The Terri tory. while responding to all calls during the war with characteristic generosity. did not share appreciabiy in war prosperity, save in the pro- portions attained by the fishing ip- dustry and the greatly increased pro- duction of copper. These did not contribute as materially as might bc supposed to the Territory's general prosperity.
 Alaska's splendid contributions to the support of the war probably rep resented more of actual giving rela- lively than could be claimed for any