The Colorado statesman., 1923-08-11

Alaska problem" Alaska seemed to
be on the down grade, with decrease in
population and mining output, threat
ened extinction of the fishing industry
and numerous other unfavorable
symptoms. The situation apparently
called for the establishment of def
mite Alaskan policy. Various plans
were discussed including a transfer of
control to the Interior department
from the score or more of governing
bureaus. President Harding's plans
for 1922 came to naught, but this year
he determined to get first-hand infor-
nation. He was accompanied by Sec
retary Work of the Interior depart
ment, Secretary Wallace of the Agri-
cultural department and Secretary
Hoover of the Department of Com
merce, all of whom are Immediately
concerned In the Alaskan situation.
The President left Washington at
the end of June and journeyed leisure
ly to the Pacific Northwest by special
train, making speeches at st. Louis,
Denver, Helena, Spokane and other
cities. Incidentally he visited two of
the national parks. First he went to
Zion in Utah, the newest of our ma
tional parks, which is a many-colored
gorge cut by the Rio Virgin. Next he
visited Yellowstone in Wyoming Gre
ated in 1872, the first national park in
history and largest and most famous
of the nineteen parks of our system.
Here he motored, boated, fished, fed
the bears and had good time. His
plans also included visit to Yosemite
upon his return trip, but that was
abandoned.
Saw Much of Alaska.
The President celebrated the Fourth
of July in the United States and then
started for Alaska on the U. S. trans
port Henderson. His Alaskan trip was
extensive. He went the length of the
new government railroad and visited
the capital, Juneau. and the principal
cities.
On his return trip Mr.. Harding
stopped off at Vancouver, creating
precedent in that he was the first
American President to step on Cana
dian soil.
The President arrived at Seattle
July 27 and reviewed from the bridge
of the Henderson fleet of a dozen or
so battleships under command of Ad-
miral III. p. Jones, each of which gave
him the national salute of twenty-one
guns. Even then he was suffering
from the ailment that resulted In his
death, and soon after that the rest of
his trip, which was to include return
to the East via the Panama canal, was
cancelled.
President Harding made public ad-
dress at Seattle, setting forth his views
on the Alaskan situation. Some of his
points were these:
ALASKA for Alaskans"
"There is no need of government
managed, federally-paid-fo hothouse
development there must be no
reckless sacrificing of resources"
ALASKA is destined for statehood in
few years.
where there is possibility of better
ment in federal machinery of admin
istration, improvement should and will
be effected"
Other conclusions presented by Pres
ident Harding were:
That generous appropriation should
be made for road building.
That the federal government should
be more liberal in encouraging the
technical. scientific and demonstration
work in agriculture.
That restrictions should be laid on
the fisheries and on the forests.
That the development of the coal
mines must await time and economic |
conditions
That the government should retain !
ownership and operation of the Alas
kan railroad.