Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-06-07
Uncle Tedps Bedtime Story
ALASKA

''What are those beautiful bas-
kets ?" asked Ruth as Uncle Ted was
unpacking big box filled with many
Indian works of art.
'Those, Ruth were made by the
Indians in Alaska, that far-away
possession of Uncle Sam in the great
Northwest. / have a very dear
friend who is an officer in the Unit
ed States Coast Guard and he sent
me this box of baskets, rugs and
other articles made by the Indians"
Uncle Ted was busy unpacking the
box as Jack walked into the room.
"Geei" exclaimed Jack, "I'd love
to have one of those bows and some
arrows"
'I'm going to divide these things
with both of you kiddies," replied
Uncle Ted, s'but how would you like
to hear story about Alaska now ?"
"Great,v replied the children in
unison.
"Well, you know kiddies, the last
of June, President Harding with the
Secretary of Interior, the Secretary
of Agriculture and the Secretary
of Commerce will tour this northern
country to study the many problems
facing our government in connection
with this vast expanse of land. Al
ways in the past the high officials of
our government have had to visualize
conditions in Alaska, but now they
will see the situation first hand
and be able to solve many problems
that have been impossible to solve
5000 miles away. There are many
striking facts about Alaska. We
bought the country from Russia in
1867 and 1922 Alaska produced from
compared with the enormous wealth
of many kinds found there. From
1867 and 1922 Alaska produced fnom
its mines and sea and fur trade about
$1,100,000 900 ans the cost to the
Government has been about $780,
100000.
"The interesting part about Alaska
is the fact that inestimable riches
and thiHdal treasures still remain
there just waiting for further de-
velopment of the country. Riddles,
Alaska has total area of 59O,884
square miles. In other words it is
one-fifth as large as the entire Unit
ed Statesw
"Who lives there?" asked Jack
1.-THE population of Alaska, Jack,
is what the Government has called
an interesting problem For many
years after the purchase of Alaska
by the United States, the number of
people there grew slowly but gradu-
ally. Ten years ago after the cen
sus of 1910 was taken, the population
began to fall off resulting in 10000
people leaving there between 1910
and 1920. The permanent population
that is, thsoe who remain there all
the time, has been fixed at 10000.
One-half of this number are white
people and the other half is made up
of Indians, Eskimos and people of
various nationalities. Naturally with
the decrease in the population there
has been a decrease in commerce and
trade. The total commerce in 1920
amounted to about $106,0O0,000 as
compared with s63,000,OO0 in 1922,
a loss of S43,0O0,00O The point |
want to show is that with the untold
wealth in that country here is no
telling how many millions could be
made in trade of good roads and
various modes of transportation were
developed, and large numbers of A
mericans would go there and develop
the country. The greatest resources
of Alaska is mineral wealth, that is,
gold, copper, zinc, antimony and
tungsten, and these minerals are
there in great quantities. The COM
merce is mostly in fish products, as
salmon, herring, clans, shrimp, and
many other sea foods are found in
lareg quantities. AS with the other