The Arvada enterprise., 1923-10-04

governing. In many cases their activities overlap.
In general there has been little coordination and
cooperation. In addition, 1t Is government al long
range. Rules and regulations under existing stat
utes are made by the authorities ut Washington,
who nre also In large measure charged with their
execution.
Bear In mind that nearly all Of Aaska's re-
sources are directly or Indirectly controlled BY
the federal government. About 80 per cent of the
land liz still In government ownership. The devel.
opment Of coal and oil deposits Is under govern
ment leases. Water powers and fisheries are un'
der federal control. and nearly all Alaska timber
Is In government ownership
Moreover. the territory has its own fiscal system.
controlled by laws enacted by the territorial leg
isature. which is entirely separate and apart
from the revenues received by the federal govern
ment from business and trade licenses and which
covered Into ana disbursed from the Alaskan
fund In the general treasury.
There should be no lack Of up-to-date. frst-hand
Information In Washington presently concerning
the various phases Of the Alaskan problem With
President Harding were Secretary Of the Interior
Work. Secretary Of Agriculture Wallace Secre-
tary of Commerce Hoover and many bureau ON
cals congressional committee, including Sen.
ntor Francis Il. Warren OF Wyoming. chairman Of
the Senate appropriations committee visited
Alaska during the summer. Six scientists OF the
Interior department have been exploring this sum.
mer the naval oil reserve of 5000 square miles
in Alaskas northwest corner.
The government railroad from Seward to Fair
banks. begun In 1915. hns been completed. 1t 10
lG7 miles long, and cost &56.OOOOO0. II
operates Pullmans passenger coaches and freight
to the total number OF about 800. The gov
ernment operates two connecting Yukon river
transports and mosquito fleets navigate the smaller
rivers. The fare is about six cents mile. The
railroad Is administered by a commission Of the
Department OF the Interior. Col. Frederick Mears
Is chairman and nt present In charge OF the road.
Suys Colonel Menrs:
"Wherever II region or Il development propOsi.
lIon warrants II We will build spurs from the main
line. or course. we do not expect to break even.
at least for some time. Until the interior Is more
th!ckly settled, until tourists come In greater mum.
bers to enjoy the beauties OF the Mckinley park
region, until the varied resources OF the Interior
are developed. this road will not pay. But without
the railroad the Interior Of Alaska never viii de-
velop and without the exploitation Of these
resources the road never will get tonnage. Each
Is dependent upon the other
The completion OF the government railroad will
doubtless stimulate tourist travel. especially to
Mount Mckinley National park which has hitherto
been practically inaccessible. The park contains
2695 square miles and is next In size to Yellow.
stone. Its biggest fenture Is Mount Mckinley
~. .I64 feet. the highest mountain In North Amer.
lea and one OF the most impressive earth II Ii
wonderful preserve OF Alaskan wild animal
life caribou. bighorn. moose. deer. goat and bear
live md breed there In immense numbers
Unique among Aiusku's ma jestic and varied
scenery is the new national monument. Kntmai,
THE Valley OF Ten Thousand Smokes" which Ia
easily accessible by automobile. Katinnl volcano
blew Its head on during three days In June Of
1912 covering nll Alaska with II thick coating OF
dust The explosion left Il crater $500 feet deep
and eight miles around. with lake at the hottom
Close by Is valley several miles long from which
are shooting up thousands Of steam Jets IT In
n sample OF earth in the making. Some tnv thc.e
steam Jets may cool OF enough to become gcyxers
like those OF the Yellowstone.
A government booklet says: "Thc principn,
shipments from the United States to Aiasku dur.
Ing the past three years were chemicals nutomo-
b!lcs, coal. coffee confectionery. eggs. electrical
machinery and other manufactures OF iron nnd
steel. explosives, fruits. boots and shoes. ment
md dairy products. mineral oils. sugar. tobncco
vegetables and manufactures OF paper wood md
wool" This means that Alnskn. with Its own con,
deposits, Is importing coal with It's own of, fields
Is Importing oil with its own forests is importinu
manufactures OF wood The same booklet snys.
"wnter rye and winter wheat can be success.