The Alaska daily empire., 1923-07-05
STATEHOOD FOR ALASKA IS NOT
 FAR IN FUTURE
pr. ]. ]. Tigert, in Fourth Grafton, Forecasts Great
 Alaska Development.

sovereign commonwealth in the re- public, declared pr. John J. Tigers, U. S Commissioner of Education, in his Fourth of July address here yes terday morning.
 Liberty, quality and unity were the three principles set forth to the world as the foundation of the Am erican republic in the Declaration of Independence which was penned by Thomas Jefferson and embodied his ideas, he said. Education, de- clared the speaker. has been the main factor in the perpetuation of these principles and the wonderful growth of the United States.
 Several hundred people heard the reading of the Declaration of lnde- pendence by B. A. Rosselle and Dr. Tigcrt's speech at the Palace Theatre which was donated by Manager John T. spickett after rain had forced the committee to abandon it's plan for outdoor exercises yesterday morning. Music at the exercises was furnished by tLe City Band.
 Makes Fine Address.
 In rapid fire manner, Dr. Tigert presented the manner in which the American republic was formed, the underlying principles. established and the purposes of this government as set forth in the preamble to the Constitution. He gave succinctly the trials 1t has withstood without going into details. The last decade of the nineteenth century. he de- clared, had seen in the growth Of the United States the miracle of the century The great wealth and re- serve strength this country had built up, he added, in the World War hal decided the issue there in favor of Democracy and against Auto cracy.
 Tne aftermath of the war was more dangerous to the republic than was war It's unity was challenged by many 'isms," bolshevism, com munism. Sociaist, laborism and others which, while subsiding to some degree, still threaten America. Alaskans, he asserted. are fortunate tha. the Territory was purchased by : the United States some 56 years ago ? Had Alaska still been a province of Russia 1t wonld have been dragged into the abyss of bolshevism which has bankrnptcl Russia, the only na ton with greater resources than the United States.
 New Era Foreseen.
 Alaska is on the eve of new era, said pr. Tigert. The approch- ing visit of the President of thel United States he said would extend the vision of the people of the States beyond the Canadian border andl give them realization of Alaska. and be a fore-runner of the time when the northland will become al unit in the constellation of stars forming the American Union. The time Is not far distant, he added, | when a great multitude of people will live in Alaska and great cities will be built up here.
 Education as a great factor n the coming development of Alaska wasl urged. Past history. he said. has conclusively established the fact that the products of the mind far exceed the product of the land. Edison whom he declared to be the greatest living American from the standpoint of service to humanity and industry, has brain product of $12,000,- 900 900.
 pr. Tigert closed with an eulogy nf uJa h In \ O greatest of Americans.
 Parade Last Night
 Despite its being postponed from 10 o'clock in the morning until q o'clock in the evening on account of rain, the parade was one of the largest and most attractive which has been formed in a number of years. The prize of $50 for the best decorated float was coveted by four business houses who .were represented. the Alaska Elictric Light & Power Co, Juneau Florists, Marshall & Newman, representing the Studebaker automobile, and the Wide Awake Shoe Shop. Fourteen private cars were entered. few of them decorated with flags. balloons and flowers.
 The prize for the best decorated float went to the Mooseheart Le- zion.
 The Juneau Fire Department and the Moose and Mooseheart Legion lodges made splendid representa- ton. The Fire Department march was led by members of both com pAnies in formation followed by Chief Gray in special car, then truck No. l and Truck No. 2, each manned by number of the fire boys, and decorated with bunting and flags. The Women of Mooseheart Legion, marching in formation led the lodges. followed by the Mooseheart chill dren's float. then the members of the Moose Lodge.
 Selma and Geraldine Bodding. Hell en and Louise Hid. Sylvia Berg. Louise Tanner. Helen and Olgo Tor kalsOa, Vera Chamberlin. Maxine Derby. Lillian Anderson, Lily George Anita Heyder. Rose Daner and Helen