The Alaska daily empire., 1923-06-27


 various members of the Congressional delegation recently visiting the Ter ritory were almost as varied as the individuals presenting them, nnder- lying them all was apparent the sen timcnt expressed by Representative Charles L. Underhill of Massachn- setts. More Guggenheims and Less Government" Centralized local self. government was emphasized as the greatest need of the Territory, ac- cording to the Post-Inteligencer. Demand Prompt Attention That papers account of the return of the party from Alaska and the. views of some of it's members follow:
 Carrying with them the picture of a vast, potentially rich Kingdom, | threatened by blight of "arrested development five United States Senators. and twenty-six Congressman Hast night departed from Seattle for their inland homes, after a two weeks inspection tour of Alaska. The lawmakers carry also the conviction as expressed yesterday by Senator Joseph T. Robinson, Arkan- 1 sas, minority leader: "Alaska's problems demand our prompt and earnest consideration"
 Basically. they agree wIth the terse statement of Congressman Charles l.. Iunderhill Of Massachu setts: What Alaska needs is more Guggenheims and less government
 Senator E. r. Ladd of North Da kota will tell the Congress in it's next session that the United States should work out and adopt "an Al askan policy that can be followed | for the next twenty-five years | Statehood Question l Alaskans are interested in their opportunities for statehood. With his previous information based on what he had read and what he had heard, Senator Robinson, twenty years in Congress, yesterday spoke from first hand knowledge on this point He said:
 "The adventurers in large part have abandoned Alaska, and the sturdy stock of pioneers, who now constitute it's citizenship, impress me as capable of exercising self government in. much greater de gree"
 Senator A. \. Jones of New Mex leo. declares That there are too many government departments and bureaus. Alaska's, government should be closer to home
 "It would be advisable to modify the mineral land laws as applied to ! Alaska, so there would be greater | inducement for capital to go in and develop the mines" Senator Jones said. ts.
 l Senator Ladd also favored such a commission, made up largely of Alas kan people" No matter how good its intentions, the government can mot rule the Territory intelligently when it is so far away" he de- clared
 Representative Underhill said: "I'd throw Alaska wide open, excepting Tits fisheries. The Territory should | be sold to the American people. Am bition and initiative, if given the fruits of their labors, without strings, will take a chance
 ] Alaska cannot go if alone, but home rule that will mean a slashing of red-tape, looping off several of it's numerous bureaus, Liberalization of government regulations which now 1 throttle the Territory and perhaps election of their governor by the people, is held necessary and almost certain of future enactment, mem bers of the party declared last night. Exploitation Needless "Alaska's resources can be deveI- oped without shamelessly exploiting them. We have too long regarded the Territory as only great na- tional storehouse, to be kept un- touched. She might spoil if we keep her untouched too long," said Rep resentative Cyrenus Cole, Iowa, who declared he reflected the sentiment of his colleagues.
 "Why, there is enough material in the coastal forests of Alaska to supply half the newspapers in the United States with print paper for ever, with careful selection and re- forestation,'' MT. Cole said. He is a veteran newspaper man and publish Ter And there is only one pulp mill in the whole Territory" the Congressman added.
 As for saving these trees for pos Eterity, the publisher pointed out, "half Iof those now standing would rot before our grandchildren could get around to using them
 Would Compel Trips There should be law compelling every member of Congress to make lat least one trip of investigation into Alaska, in the opinion of Rep resentative C.. B. Timberlake, of Colorado, member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Five Sena- tors and twenty-six Congressmen formed the party that returned from the Territory.
 "Alaska will have thirty-one we'll informed friends in the next Congress and her prospects for greatness