The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-19
GREAT BOON N FOR LASkA IS PROMISED
Hoover Declares AdminiStra-
 ton Soon To Take Step
 That Will Give Territory Greatest Boost In History NORTHERN PROVINCE HAS BUILDING OF BIG STATE Secretary Of Commerce Says Happy Cooperation Be-
 tween Northern People And
 Homeland Means Prosperity

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 1S.- (By Associated Press. )-A pledge that steps would be taken within three monthhs which would place Alaska more in the way of progress than ever before has been given the peo- pie of the territory by Herbert Heo- yer, secretary of the department of the interior. Speaking last night at a dinner of the Chamber of Com merce, the secretary said:
 Within the next three months We snail effect some measures that will coordinate Alaska better than here tofore so that out Of this we may do something worth doing. The great est thing we might do is to estab- ISh happy cooperation, to build q new country so that Alaska will have a greater mission and vision to America than the matter of control of her i%heries and lands. She has the building of a great state.'
 Secretary Hoover pointed out that Alaska would not be developed in great rushes like Oklahoma and Cali tornia, but some Gay would de- Velop four or five great states" Steady Population Increase.
 This" he said, must come by steady accretion of people step by step that come here to obtain a bet ter livelihood and a better standard of living. We must remember it is a place of great possibilities and of tremendous resources and there can be no full self government until you are able to carry that burden"
 At fisheries hearing, Secretary Hoover took a vote on the question, shall we abolish big traps?" and reived unanimous affirmative vote, Singling out a man who conducts a small trap, MT. Hoover said;
 Tt seems the peop1e want sys- tenn whereby fishing in Alaska will be done by men like you, which will give you population, instead of inn porting such labor, as complained off
 A cannery man asserted that aboli- ton of the big trap would end can ming in Alaska Advocates of aboli- traps with a limitation of the pack and maintenance of reservations. Adopt Broad Policy.
 MT. Hoover announced that a broad policy would be adopted and that there would be rules governing each district separately. He said that q blanket reservation would be un- suitable.
 Secretary Work, of the interior department, III e.n duuIeSS, Sdlu.
 Some people told me that the Alaskans wanted everything. I've been disillusioned. It seems they do not want anything but to be allowed to live here the same as elsewhere. I think Alaska could produce enuogh food for her own people if the popu- lation were a million"
 William Spry, former governor of Utah and now commissioner of the general land office, stated to the As- sociated Press:
 we must relax the restrictions and encourage big capital to come to Alaska and include a more liberal policy toward mining and coal lands.
 As gauged from the hearings, Sec retary Hoover's announcement is be- neved here to indicate that a con- solidated board to administer the territory, co-ordinating the various bureaus, and the abolition of large traps as soon as a substitute can be found, are new policies to be estab- lished.