The Alaska daily empire., 1923-07-06
ALASKA'S BRIGHT FUTURE.

The Philadelphia Pubic Ledge~ each day II or more signed editorials, written by promin ple on live topics. Recently the following slgl torial from the pen of Gov. Scott C. Bone, p led under the head given above, appeared on torial page of the great Philadelphia newspap
 Develop Alaska This has been the uni form demand for years of practica-mindcd men familiar with the Territory and its po- tential resources.
 Conserve Alaska, Such is and long has been the insistent outcry of wel-meaning people interesting themselves in the Terri torys keeping thousands of miles away.
 Why not both development and conserva- tion? Logically they go hand in hand. AL aska has had little development. Of it's 590,- 900 square miles, with one-sixth thereof suited to agriculture and grazing; with cuntless districts the mainland and islands rich in known mineral wealth; with 20,000,- 900 acres of overgrown forests along the coast in reserves and doomed to decay with out harvestration and with the colossal Ter ritory a whole, the glaciers and noun tain peaks fitted for some use to mankind only infnitesmal fraction has been de- veloped.
 To real conservation Alaska is actually a stranger. It has experienced nothing worthy the name. locking up of it's re- sources has bolied that term. Hoarding is not conservation.
 shortsighted attitude of hands off toward would-bc investors and settlers born of restrictions encountered on every side the outgrowth of long-range rule by depart mental bureaus, has spelled stagnation and retrogression for Alaska
 For ifty-six years since the Seward pur- chase from Russia and the hoisting of the American flag at Sitka. Alaska has occupied a position of aloofncss unparalleled by any ether domain the face of the globe It has been an unknown, misunderstood land unable to command and hold public atten- ton. Popular ignorance or misconcepton of the Territory has been it's heaviest handi- cap.
 Hawaii, tring of Liliuokalani and mon archical reign, held out it's hand to America for aid thirty-odd years ago and was taken Into the fold and put upon basis of great growth and development The war with Spain, decade later. focused attention upon Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines: and these islands, under American guidance have thrived and made marked material progress Even little Guam has become miniature possession of importance
 Alaska, meanwhile has been out of the picture it's light figuratively. hidden under a bughel it's voice unheard and it's appeals unhceded. It has been dealt with academic ally, theoretically spasmodicaly intermit- tently, incoherently. No fortuitous circum- stance, or chain of circumstances has con trived, as in the cases of our semi-foreign possessions, to give Alaska an operative sys-s tenn Of government. or otherwise meet it's just demands and needs Yet it is American territory-American to the core--and in di- menslons and strategic situation holds n- nnitely more of importance to the future of the United States than the islands of the seas.
 paternalistic government a generous Uncle Sam, has done much for Alaska Many millions have been expended in maintaining complicated system of government and in the building of roads and trails and finally in constructing railroad penetrating the very heart or the vast interior. But all this out lay has been unguided and unsupported bv any definite policy of development Hence the Territory has languished Now bowever new and better order of things seems sure- Iy within sight and reach First-band knowledge gained by the President. members or the Cabinet and leaders in both branches or congress during the gummer cannot fail 10 bring about administrative reforms and constructive policy that will make for the carry redemption of ths long neglected land
 ohould Warren G. Hardng's Admnistra- ton succeed in opening up and developing Alaska and making the resources ayailahle adequasely safeguarded, for the benefit of mankind. it will place to it's credit con structive achievement second to none re- corded by any of it's predecessors It will be epoehal and mark the building Of an empire in the Northland
 A simplfed and centralized Administra- ton oc-ordinated and brought closer homo to Alaska, is of paramount necessity Once this IS provided and authority and responsi biiity defined and definitely fixed kindred ana collateral problems and will be read ny s''en. condemnation of bureaucratic rule does not imply condemnation of bureaus constituting 9the system. They are eouipned to render and do render special and exnert services of value. But collectively exer ciring administrative functions at long ranye under feveral departments at Washington their activities make for lost motion and are productive of confusion comnlio.,io,