The Alaska daily empire., 1923-06-14
ALASKA SHOULD HAVE GREATER. POWERS OF SELF GOVERNMENT,
 DECLARE MEMBERS OE CONGRESS-

That Alaska ought to have a great the statement of Senators Charles Joseph Robinson, minority leader in the Senate. and Senator A. A. Joones. of New Mexico, two of the seven members of Congress who made brief talks at the banquet given them here last night. Five Senators and ;wo House members declared the Congressional party is returning tc the States with knowledge that will make 1t possible to work intelligent ly on Alaskan problems.
 Every speaker affirmed his friend ship for the Territory. Each pledged himself to aid where possible in bringing about the development of he north.
 With R. F. Robertson as toast master. some IA talks were made at the banquet in almost record time. A spirit of friendliness pervaded the hall which was heightened by the good humored quips and bits of sar- casim exchanged by members of the Congressional party as by-play.
 Welcomed by Gov. Bone
 A formal and hearty welcome was extended to ahe members of Con gross by Gov. Bone both as Gov srnor of the Territory and as a citi- zen of Juneau. This will be a mem )rable year for Alaska, he said: made 90 through the visit of the Presi- dent of the United States and the Congressional party. The import ance of both, headded, cannot be overestimated, in that those, mak- ing the trip will have gained a com prehensive view of the Territory.
 He paid a splendid tribute to Col. F. Mears, whom he termed as the builder of the Alaska Railroad the money for whose reconstruction was honestly spent without hint of graft. Congress has been generous to Alaska but it's liberality should be accompanied by general policy of development. He criticised sharp ly long range administration and mul- tiplicity of administrative heads, urg- ing the necessity for concentration and centralizatlon of administration"
 He declared that Southeastern AL aska is an empire in Itself. The Gov ernor again struck popular chord when he referred to the Territorial Capitol building. saying he hoped all the members of Congress present had noted the magnificent Capitol build ing. He spoke of his friendship with Senator Warren, dean of the party. and of the latters long service in the Senate
 Not Junket Trip
 Senator Warren. who was the first of the Congressional speakers, said the party had not come to make speeches but listen and to find out what Alaskans want. We are so interested in Alaska that we are paying our own way on this trip. We did not ask for any appropria- tions for expenses but are paying them ourselves" The Senator spoke Abut five minutes, saying he would ask his colleague. Senator Robinson, Democratic leader in the Senate. to say some of the things which should be said about the Territory. Should Be SeIfGoverned The people of Alaska should have q greater degree of self-government. declared Senator Robinson. who re- ferred briefly to transportation. fish ing and construction of railroads. highways and trails. aNture. in part, he said. has aided in solving the transportation question in Southeast ern Alaska in the sheltered water ways
 The first need In the solution of the fisheries problem. he said, Is that the people of Alaska agree among themselves on legislation which will both promote the industry and con-