The Alaska daily empire., 1923-05-01
sELF-GoyERNMENr FOR ALASKA.

 The American Mining Congress Journal in g editorial diacuqeing Alaskas government, arri the conclusion that the proper solution Of obloms of the Northern Territory is seif-goyf mt It declares very strongly in favor of widen powers of the Territorial Legislature. deelaf Il the present government of Alaska is farci e Journal writing under the heading, "A Farce says:
 Maladminietration of Alaskans affairs due to unavoidable laws misconeaivcd ideas and docenlralizcd control, bar t9e development and utilization of the Territorys resources. With ifs population steadily declining and industrial progress al il standstill, the sitda- ticn is one which demands the application of drastic remedies Lack ef responsible local government, experiments in government ownership restrictive leasing laws, conflict ing administrative authority, and failure 10 coordinate governmental functions con- ti.buting factors o the unfortunate letharey which new grips his great Territory.
 The Territorial Legislature created by Congress ecme years ago is prohibited from legislatlng on most subjects of any real importance. and Congress continues 10 leg islate on matters which yitally affect the welfare of tae Territory. Thus, the Terri toIial Legislature, which Is familiar with Alaska's problems and neods is without pow CT to take such action as changing condi- ticns demand. while Congress. if il acts at all, acts upon reports and hearsaY, ire quently obtained from irresponsible and biased sourees. and is led 10 try out on helpless commonwealth every experiment ill governmental control, regulation and owner ship which can gather enough political sup port 10 pass.
 The crushing effect of past and present policies upon the infant industries of Alaska clearly demonstrate the urgent need for policies and new system which will give tn x,. ;I, who ere familiar with it's conditions broader responsibilities and powers in the determina- tion of tits destiny, reserving sufficient con trol 10 thwart the aims of private interests which might otherwise gain enough in- siuence to secure mon0poles which would be against the public interest
 Administration of Alaskan affairs must be coordinated and simplined as a prelim- mary move toward constructive efforts which will build up the Territory. In the matter of taxation, tho Territorial Legislature has power to impoae taxes which are collected and disbursed through the Territorial Treas urer. Congress also leyies taxes for local purposes which are collected and disbursed by the Federal treasury; and in addition the Federal internal revenue and income taxes apply Thus 1t will be seen that three systems of taxation add to the diffi- culties which Territorial enterprises en- counter in their struggle for existence In general the handling of Alaskan affairs is distributed through the several departments ,- Washington among more than thirty ,oards, commissions and bureaus all of which arc exceedingly zoalons in retaining control of their respective functions
 Instead Of continuing the farce of at .empted government from capital four thousand miles and more distant and with multiplicity of agencies whose functions cannot possibly be properly coordnated Congress should establish a centralized gov fn Haal 44ff1 Alaska. The present Territorial Legislature. if given broader powers. would provide a necessary branch of the new system of government The executive branch could be provided for in measure similar to the acts of Congress establishing governments for the Philippines, Hawaii and Porto Rico The laws for the disposition of mineral lands and the development of agriculture and timber lands could be made more adaptable to conditions prevailing in Alaska and leg islaticn 10 meet this need could well be left 10 the Territorial Legislature subject to the approval of Congress
 If the people of Alaska are given better opportunity 10 work out their destinies through satisfactory system of self-eovren- ment, there Is every reason 10 believe that the development of Alaska's resources will take on new life and that the population of the Territory will grow by leaps and bounds as did those Of many of the western states whcse aggregate resources never exceeded and perhaps never equalled the potential resources fo this great northern domain To contend that tho Territory will develop under present methods of administration and policies e government is absurd New methods and sound policies must be applied tc give impetus to the growth and develop- ment which the Territory is entitled be- cause of its vast resources. to enjoy While the need for solf-government is not oy etd by the Washington magazine, the plight Of ftOry is uct nclrly eo bad as rcnrarantod od n