Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-08-09

Alaska problem Alaska seemed TO
be on the down grade. with decrease in
population and mining output, threat
ened extinction of the fishing industry
and numerous other u~nfayorable
symptoms. The situation apparently
called for the establishment Of q def
mite Alaskan policy. Various plans
control to the Interior department
from the score or more Of governing
bureaus. President Harding's plans
for 1922 came to naught, but this year
he determined to get flrst-hand infor-
nation. He was accompanied by Sec
rotary Work Of the Interior depart
ment. Secretary Wallace Of the Agri-
cultural department and Secretary
Hoover of the Department of Com
merce, all of whom are Immediately
concerned In the Alaskan situation.
The President left Washington at
the end Of June and %Journeyed leisure.
ly to the Pacific Northwest by special
train. making speeches at st. Louis,
Denver, Helena, Spokane and other
cities. Incidentally be visited two of
the national parks. First he went to
Zion In Utah. the newest Of our ma
tional parks, which is a ~many-colored
gorge cut by the Rio Virgin Next he
visited Yellowstone In Wyoming, Gre
ated In 1872. the first national park In
history and largest and most famous
of the nineteen parks Of our system.
Here he motored, boated. fshed, fed
the bears and had a good time. His
plans also included a visit to Yosemite
upon his return trip, but that was
abandoned.
Saw Much Of Alaska.
The President celebrated the Fourth
Of July in the United States and then
started for Alaska on the u. s. trans
port Henderson. His Alaskan trip was
extensive. He went the length Of the
government railroad and visited
the capital, Juneau, and the principal
cities.
On his return trip Mr.. Harding
stopped or at Vancouver, creating
precedent In that he was the first
American President to step on Cana
dian soil.
The President arrived at Seattle
July n and reviewed from the bridge
OF the Henderson a feet Of a dozen or
20 b~attleships under command OF Ad+
miral H. p. Jonea each of which gave
him the national salute Of twenty-one
guns. Even then he was suffering
from the ailment that resulted In his
death. and DON after that the rest Of
his trip. which was to include a return
to the East via the Panama canal, wal
cancelled.
President Harding made a public adj
dress at Seattle, setting forth his views
on the Alaskan situation Some Of his
were these:
alaska for Alaskans."
There is no need Of government
managed. federslly-paid-for dollhouse
development . there must be no
reckless sacrificing of resources"
ALASKA is destined for statehood In
q few years"
Where there is possibility Of better
ment IN FEDERAL machinery of admin
lstration. improvement should and win
be effected"
Other conclusions presented by Pres
Harding were.
That generous appropriation should
be made for road building.
That the federal government should
De more liberal In encouraging the
technical. scientific and demonstration
work In agriculture.
That restrictions should be laid ON
he fisheries and on the forestA
That the d~evelopmeaf Of the co~l
mines must await time and scouomie
That the governnsnt should retain
'wnsrship and opsx~ftan ~ IL Alas
IN raflreeA