The Alaska daily empire., 1923-02-17
SHERMAN ROGERS ON ALASKA.

No writer Alaska has presented more truths in the than sherman Rogers in his series of four articles which have appeared in The Outlook Mr Rogers has shown extraordinary ability to get at the bottom of things, to see on the level with excellent discrimination to proportion, and his way to logical conclusions. He refuses to be sde-tracked by inconsequontial things. permit prejudice sentiment desire for spotlight or sen sation swerye him from the essentials His accept of the permanency of the conservation principle in the administration of many of the resources is probably concession to what he regards as the in- evitabe. In fact he scarcely veils the intimation that it is s3. It demonstrates that in addition very keen preceptive abilities Mr. Rogers is prac tical, and refuses time will-o the wsps
 MT. Rogers praises for the efficiency the desire to be helpful the carnezncss and good faith of those in charge of Federal matters in Alaska is tribute that is deserved His statement that most of the red tape has been removed during the last decade is a simple truth His intimation that of the fears capitalists and others have of interference from the Government in Alaskan investments is imaginary is based facts
 He stresses again and again the need for road tuding in Alaska and points to the duty of the United States the owncr of 99 per cent of the resources of the Territory bear the cost of it. Roads, roads and yet roads,, is his slogan. While he admits that steamship lines have prob ably been forced make the prevailing high freight Alaeka in crder to aycd losses from the management and operation of their vessels he thinks that lower transportation charges must before the right of improvement the Ter rory, and he strongly the Government to make lever rates the Alaska Railway and the owners 1o do likewise the Copper River and Northwestern Hallway though it might loss for few 2. ears.
 He favors the abolition of the nerdepartmenta committee in Washington and the reorganization of the interdepartmenta board in Alaska the of executive power Federal affairs the board in Alaska
 As said by MT. Joslin there are of course null titude of things which Mr. Rogers has not touched upon, but as far as the Federal Governments rela- tion to the Territory is concerned. he has situation truthfully and fairly and in practical ,ner has pointed the way out far as the more .impa ttan things concerned
 is unfortunate that Mir. Rogers in series of such well considered articles which have attracted 50 much interest could not have seen his way clear lto have urged tho extension of the scope of the Ter ritoral Government. The authority of the Territorial Government in Alaska is very much restricted sthan was the case with the other Territories. On account of the conditions that things different in this Territory from those in the States Alaska should have rather than powers of govern ment than were exercised by the other Territories If Congress would give to the Territory of Alaska every bit of power possible, that would be consistent with actual Federal interests and obligations in the Territory, and then apply MT. Rogers recommenda- tons the governmental situation here would be fairly satisfactory A
 MT Rogers laid excellent foundation for such a recommendation in his graphic and truthful char acerizations Of the intelligent and patriotic peone who constitute Alaska's population and fl wac strengthened by the vigorous conclusion of his last article
 Tn conclusion, permit add that
 have heard great many American people
 express the fear that the rights of the people
 CT the United States might be abridged by
 tiVmg iull control of Alaskan affairs to a
 beard residing On Alaskan soil In answer
 want to say vigorously that if the American
 citizens residing below the 54h meridian
 lparalleil will give much time and
 tnousht to the rights of those hardy pioneers
 who have kept the roads open and the trails
 blazed in our Northern Empire as they do to
 the real or fancied rights of those who have
 never seen Alaska, the Northern Territory ts- wl quickly come into it's own.
 ine laiiure 10 urge a full Territorial from of government Tor Alaska, form of government for Mhch her people nave been praying for dozen years