Evening star., 1923-07-28
Great Alaskan Problem Myth,
Says President, Outlining Needs
Protection of Natural Resources From.
E1ploiters and Aid to Home-Makers
Will Insure Bright Future, He Believes.
BY the Associated Press.

SEATTLE. Wash, July 2S.-Presi-
dent Harding returned from his
Alaskan trip yesterday and in an ad-
dress delivered here reported to the
American people that he had found
nothing wrong with their great
northern territory; that there is no
broad problem of Alaska" and that
Alaska is "all right and is doing Well"
II do not believe Alaska can be
forced, or that 1t should be-" he
ao3ed.
There is no need of government
managed. federally-paid-f for, hot
house development There must be
10 rcokIess sacrificing of resources.
which ought to be held permanent in
order to turn them into immediate
profits. Where there is possi-
bility of betterment in the federal
machinery of administration improve
ments should and will be effected.
But there is no need for sweeping
reorganization."
Pledges Protection.
The President enumerated a num-
Der of ways in which the develop
ment of the territory should be aided.
he declared against ruinous exploit
tation of natural resources and urged
kans. He recommended more re-
striction on salmon fishing. the terri
tory's greatest industry, and prom
ised that if Congress was unable to
agree on problem Of helpful legis-
lation. he. by executive order. would
extend the present reservations and
their regulations.
Restrictions with respect to utiliza-
ton of the forests. he said, might well
be lightened. Development of Alaska's
OF t-.,it
normal urging of economic condi-
= tfons, he submitted, but the govern
ment should do whatever is necessary
to encourage leasing and development
OF oil lands.
Sees Statehood Soon.
Other conclusions presented by Mr..
Harding were that generous appro-
prlation should be made for road
building; that the federal government
should be more liberal in encouraging
the technical. scientific and demon
stration work of the agricultural
agencies, and that the government
should retain ownership and opera
tfon of the Alaskan railroad.
Alaska is designed for ultimate
statehood" the President told his au-
dience. In very few years we can
Well set off the panhandle and a large
block of the connecting southeastern
part as a state. This region now con-
tains easily 90 per cent of the white
populations and of the developed re-
sources. 1t would be the greatest
single impetus we could possibly give
TO the right kind of development AS
to the remainder of the territory
would leave the Alaskans of the flu
ture to decide
Praises Scenic Beauty.
The Chief Executive began his ad-
dress with praise for the scenic beau
ties of Alaska
There can be none to dispute to
Alaska pre-eminence as the empire
OF scenic wonders" he asserted.
since the water journey by the in
side route is very little less wonder
full and impressive than the vast do
main of Alaska itself, 1t would seem
that we need only to have our people
understand its fascinations and COM
pensations. on the one hand. and de-
velop hotel facilities for entertain
ment, on the other. to make Alaska
favored destination in summer
travel There is no sea trip in the
world to equal 1t. There is no lure
of mountain, stream, valley and plain
L" surpass IL anywhere. There is
ample development of the transporta-
ton service essential to travel and
there is comfortable accommodation
now, which demands will make luxu-
rious whenever it is expressed"
Praise was bestowed on the people
Of Alaska by the President las the
finest, most hospitable people in all
the world"
Future Lies in Women.
There is no finer citizenship in all
the United States; no more promising
a childhood anywhere" he added.
Indeed, in this citizenship and in
this vigorous childhood, both devoted
to Alaska as the land of their homes
lies the solution of the Alaskan
problem. In them is the assurance
development No magic wand made
from Federal Treasury gold may be
waved to effect the grand transfor-
nation. The process of development
ample civilization lies in a citizen
ship with homes in Alaska, not in
investors who are seeking Alaskan
wealth to enrich homes elsewhere"
Let me say that l shall undertake
no more than a preliminary report at
this time he continued. HE who
undertakes to forecast the future of
Alaska and formulate a program for
its realization, on the strength of
such f1eeting glimpse as has been
permitted to us. will be a wiser and
a far bolder man than l. We have
seen much, but 1t is only a little OF
the stupendous whole. More
than all, we have enormously
strengthened our faith in the future
of Alaska as the home of a great
state in the American commonwe ealth.
A brave. hardy, enterprising, uncom-
planning people are building for Alas
ka's tomorrow precisely as our fore
fathers built for ours today in the
older communities, and 1 am sure
that they will in their time bring a
great state into the Union.
Sees Desire for Exploitation.
There has been disposition in
many years, to assume that Alaska
has been lately experiencing a serious
backset. This seems to be based on
loss of rather less than Is per cent
on some curtailment of the territory's
production of wealth. Judgments ad-
verse to Alaska will not be based on
such adventurous conditions. save by
the unintelligent or by those who
would deliberately cry down the coun-
try's availability as land of homes
in the hope of getting 1t turned over
to wholesale exploitation on scale
that would ruin 1t for all the future.
Against program of ruinous ex-
ploitation we must stand firmly. Our
adopted program must be a develop
ment of Alaska for Alaskans. To
plan for wise. we'll rounded develop
ment into a permanent community
of homes, families, schools and an
illuminated social scheme we must
give all encouragement. From sim
liar areas in the world present such
natural invitations to make a state
manent character .. True, 1t
lost Is per cent in population in the
decade wherein the great war de-
moralized the entire world. But one
province lost 80 per cent and an
other 60 per cent. respectively.
Cites Population Losses.
Alaska is once more gaining in
everything which testifies prosper
ity, but from the agricultural prov
inces of western Canada comes re-
port of q still continuing exodus