The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-06-14
ALASKA AND PUBLICITY.

1t has often been said that of the great needs
of Alaska is publicity. And that is true. However
publicity should be truthful Otherwise it is very
likely to do far harm than good. To have her
advantages and natural wealth pointed in coorng too
bright and glowing is bad worse, than tC have
them understated or than have the obstacles and
disadvantages and bleakness exaggerated Alaska has
suffered from both kinds CT publicity. Her winter
conditions and the isolated OF Hardship on
trails, the niquities Of her government ard many
other sdisag reeable fe1lpres that been
here have had undue share of publicity in story
and the stage. But harmful has been
exaggeration the wealth and accessibility of her
natural resources al the talk about billions of
dollars worth of coal and oil and other wealth that
conservation theorists, kept Secretaries of Eastern
societies and organizations for the promotion of var
ious fads sensational muck rakers and cheap time
serving politicians sought make people believe
that capitalists would steal if lock and key not
placed them has done incaculable harm Hired
publicity agents and impractical writers presented this
pernicious propaganda through of magazines
and newspapers 1t aroused the cupidty envy OF
some the people multitudes of those who
did not know the real facts it suggested that great
wealth that belonged to the whole people, including
themselves, was about stolen from them, They
never stopped to realize that the property would be
worth nothing to them or the Nation except through
the operation of development and use.
OF this character of publicity is that which came
from secretary rails recent statement that Alaska
could pay the National debt Naturally people think
If there that would profit the Fed
eral Government to the extent of twenty billions they
resources that ought not to be disposed of lightly
Alaska needs publicity TO offset lot of the sort
that she has had and it is pleasant know that at
least magazine of large circulation The Outlook,
has sent Alaska investigate conditions
and to tell the truth about them he finds them.
is interesting, too, that the editors of the Out
look, in editorial upon Mr. Rogers two
years ago, introducing article by him the labor
situation, tell what they think of the man who
is investigating Alaska for them in the following
words:
Mr.. Rogers as We can testify is not
whit less vigorous and racy in his talk than
in his writing. He terms his style barn
yard English
He has had the advantage of education
such as no university give
And he has proved exceptional student:
for good many have gone through ex-
periences similar his without being edu-
Gated After youth spent in contact with
hard work he spent several years in logging
camps of the Puget Sound district. He
at first "chokerman.' and became skilled in
"buckng" logs. Then he rose to the posi-
ton OF bull bucker,' wood term for fore
man CT the crews that fell the timber
then cut it into lengths AT last he became
timber foreman and assistant to the superin-
tendent When he achieved this place of
responsibility. a lumber strike called
by the l. w w. Mr.. Rogers had been very
much impressed by the arguments of Social
ism and had counted himself Socialist lie
had acquired, however in the meantime some
instructive experience when he for
while into numbering for himself and found
that the role OF capitalist and manager was
not all applause and bouquets. BY the time
the l. w. w. strike broke out he knew
OF the facts of which the l. w w. agitators
were in blessed ignorance Using these facts
as ammunition he carried a active cam
paign not against the members of the I.
w. W. personally but against their ideas.
and he found that the sincere but ignorant