The Dolores star., 1923-10-12

plea in behalf of AlaSka-the name means Great
Country" and John Muir used to call It MY beau
tIful, fruitful wilderness" Said Mr.. Harding:
Against a program Of ruInous exploitation
must stand frmly. Our dopted program must be
a development of Alaska for Alaskans.
Incidentally, in his Seattle speech Mr. Harding
made these points: That Alaska does not need
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, federally-pad-for hothouse
development that more restriction of the fish
Ing Industry Is necessary and urgent: that more
liberal terms in Leasing may be necessary to de-
velOp the oil fields that there should be an orgun-
ization capable of the readIest response to de-
mands for roads and trails; that there is the ne
cessty TO provide feeders for the government rail
road; that in IL very few years we very well
set off the Panhandle and large block of the
connecting southeastern part as a state"
The purpose of this article however Is infor-
native not argumentative. What follows is largely
n compilation from the latest authoritative sources
of information Of interesting facts about Alaska
of course, until development takes place it is i'm
possible TO estimate, Approximately. the prob
able value of Alaska's natural resources. There Is
no question that they varied and immense:
Coal, oil, copper gold, silver, lead various metals
marble timber. fish fur agriculture water power
scenery Probably state in the Union has so
great a variety Of assets and much potential
wealth.
Even now, when it is admitted that Alaska is
not hourishing, that It's production is decreasing
and that its population is falling off, 1t pays annu-
ally several hundred per cent on its original cost
in 1s67-$7,200,0OO Qess than two cents an acre)
The total mineral production in 1921 was S17OO4-
124 The total of fishery products in 1921 was
S24,OS6SG1.
Alaska since 1867, has produced mineral fish
and fur products considerably in excess of one
billion dollars.
Gov. Scott c. Bones latest available report to
the secretary of the interior contains these figures
According to the 1920 census the population was
b5O36. an apparent decrease Of $500 from that of
1910, though the former taken in the dead
of winter and the latter in the spring.
In 1921 the number of persons emDlOyed in the
fisheries industry 15,O7O, and the total active
investment S39,OO1,S74. The total value of
the fishery products, exclusive of seal and other
aquatic furs, S24,096SG7, decrease of ST.
-4O5,257 from the preceding year. The output of
canned salmon consisted of 1886 1876 ca ses valued
mt S19632, IA, compared with 4,429 4G3 cuses
in 1920 valued at S35,6O2 800.
The total commerce Of Alaska for the calendar
year 1921 was $G5,954566, decrease of S42375-
329 from the amount in 1920 The total commerce
with the United States was $G3 541 3s1 as against
S1O6,5S6,095 in 1920 decrease of S43,044s14
There were approximately 100000 reindeer two
thirds Of which belong to the natives.
There were fifteen territorial and three national
banks; 214 domestic and 42S foreign corporations
The government Of Alaska is more perpexing
t1an any Chinese puzzle. The executive power is
vested in the governor, who is appointed by the
president for term of four years by and with
the advice and consent of the senate The Ieglsla-
tive power Is vested in territorial legislature
consisting Of senate and house of representa-
tyes. The judicial power of the territory Is
vested in the District court of the United States
for the District of Alaska. The territory elects a
delegate to congress, who may participate in de-
bate but who has vote.
Yet, according TO Alaskans it is n case of "toc
much government by too many bureaus too far
away There are at least thirty eight bureaus of
tl.e saSerai departments that have a hand in This