Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-10-04

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 program of ruinous exploitation we
must stand firmly Our adopted program must be
development of Alaska for Alaskans.
incidentally, in his Seattle speech, Mr.. Harding
made these points That Alaska does not need
government federally-paid-for, dollhouse
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 organ
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 Gin very few years we can 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
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, even approximately the prob
able value of Alaskas natural resources. There is
no question that they are 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 lourishing, that its production is decreasing
and that its population is falling off, it pays annu
ally several hundred per cent it's original cost
In 1867-$7, 100000 Cess than two cents an acre).
The total mineral production in 1921 was $17,OO4-
124. The total of fishery products in 1921 was
$24,086.861
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
55036, 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 employed in the
fisheries industry was 1000, and the total active
investment was $39,001 874. The total value Of
the fishery products, exclusive of seal and other
aquatic furs $24,086867, decrease of ST.
405,257 from the preceding year. The output of
canned salmon consisted of 2,596826 cases, valued
at $19632,744, as compared with 4,429,463 cases
in 1920, valued at $780, 800.
The total commerce of Alaska for the calendar
year 1921 $65954,566, decrease of $40 375-
Pc from the amount in 1920. The total commerce
with the United States $63,541, $751; as against
$106,586095 in 1920, decrease of $43,044,814
There were approximately 100000 reindeer two
thirds Of which belong to the natives.
There were fifteen territorial and three national
banks; PA domestic and 42S foreign corporations
The government of Alaska is more perplexing
than any Chinese puzzle The executive power Is
vested in the governor, who is appointed by the
president for a term of four years. by and with
the advice and consent of the senate The legisla-
tive power is vested in territorial legislature
consisting of senate and house of representa-
tives The judicial power of the territory is
vested in the District court of the United States
for the District Of Alaska The territory elects
delegate to congress, who may participate in de-
bate, but who has vote.
Yet, according to Alaskans, 1t is a case of 500
much government by too many bureaus too far
away" There are at least thirty eight bureaus of
the several departments that have a hand in this