The Wrangell sentinel., 1923-12-06
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF
 GOVERNOR SCOTT C. BONE
 OF TERRITORY OF ALASKA


 port of the Governor of Alas.., Scott c. Bone. was given to the press today. 1t contains much detailed informa- tion as to mining, the fisheries, road building and the first years opera tion of The Alaska Railroad, owned by the Government, and is most en- phatic in tone throughout. He says :
 The year of Lord, 1923, the flfty-sixth in number since Alaska passed from Russia to the United States, will ever be memorable and stand out as the most notable in all the history of this Northern Ter ritory.
 It was Alaska's most successful year-not in actual development or unprecented production of wealth, or in hum of industry, or influx of population. but in making known to the world at large Uncle Sam's last remaining frontier. and centering and concentrating popular interest and attention in and upon it.
 For the first time a President of the United States, accompanied by three members of his cabinet, set foot upon Alaskan soil and journeyed along the picturesque coasts and tra- versed the vast interior to meet fellow Americans sturdily engaged in working out the destiny of pioneer land and become acquainted with conditions and problems confronting them.
 Preceding the head of the Ma tion, a distinguished delegation of Congressman, Senators and Repre- sentatives, on similar mission bent, made a comprehensive trip to and through the Territory and acquired direct knowledge of a domain hith- erto unknown to them.
 The American press sent staff rep resentatives for observation and the chronicling of facts and opinion, and motion picture producers and photographers contributed graphi- cally and helpfully to depicting AL aska. not as an upheaval of ice and snow. as 1t has existed in fiction and fancy. but the inviting and habitable land it really is.
 Seriously planned and steadfastly devoted to inquiry and study. the far reaching benefits of these visitations value.
 Indeed it may well be believed that the year 1923 will mark the turning point of Alaska and that growth-slow. perhaps, yet steady and sure--will henceforth ensue, with a development and utilization of the tically safe-guarded and conserved in the interest of Alaska and mankind.
 President Harding's journey to the Northland. 80 beautiful and so won derful, and, in its termination, SO tragic and deplorable, will live in song and story. Alaskans hailed him as a great and good friend who had travelled far to see them and under whose wise guidance the fu- ture of the Territory would be se- cure. His speech on Alaska. the last of his public utterances. in which he lauded its mightiness and magnif1cence and paid high tribute to its citizenship, and foresaw it's early equipment for Statehood. will for ever be treasured. That the broad policies which he touched upon and outlined, preliminarily to putting them into definite and concrete form. will be duly formulated and carried out, is confidently believed.
 Alaska's dimensions are great and its sectional or local interests wide ly divergent. Therefore, anything like a unanimity of views as to the Territory's needs is still wanting. But, whatever the differences of in- dividual or group opinion, concen- sus of faith in Alaska today abounds
 Administrative officials and na- tional lawmakers who came with out preconceiyed theories and fixed convictions, but with open minds undoubtedly gained much of prof, from their visitation. through con. tact with the people and close-range inspection of conditions. Thus will they be qualified to deal intelli gently and helpfully with problem! calling for solution and appraise tho worth. or lack of worth. of much transformation which. in the pas has mischievously served to confus, and complicate Alaskan issues.
 Inherently Alaska is all right Its paramount need is and ever hal been to be known and understood Popular misconception has been it heaviest handicap. Climatic fallacie