Seward daily gateway., 1925-08-01
CRITICISMS BY
 FREE RESENTED
 BY ANCHORAGE
By WILLARDIE B. KETCHUM

Congressman Arthur M. Free ol San Jose, California, that Alaskans have never come to Washington to express themselves on Alaskan af- fairs, and in lieu of a closer proxi- mity to that august seat of Alaskan government, the writer is taking this means of expressing, in a small way, something of what, and how, Alas kans feel regarding the opinions sso munifcentiy set forth concerning them by fly-by-night visitors to the territory, particularly those who come here by virtue of their place ill gov ernment politics, to give us the once over."
 In the first instance we want to be fair and just and agree With Congressman Free in every particu- lar wherein he has, from our stand point, stated facts. On the other hand. we also want to use our pre- rogative as an Intelligent people" in differing from him where we feel he is not correctly informed.
 We agree that change of policy regarding Alaska is most emphat- cally essential. We also agree that the popula ton of the territory is not increasing. But, we want, also, to know by whose manipulations this becomes a fact Who is governing Alaska? Is it Alaskans, or is it those who are not even aware of the fact that an intelligent people inhabit Alaska? Who says what policy shall govern Alaska? Can anyone state, having once gone over Alaska, that anything in it starts and ends no- where, with no purpose for existing Who built the Alaska Railroad? Not Alaskan. When that mistake CD is brought up for discussion, it leads back to Washington, where the peo pie of Alaska have no voice. What would Alaska have to do with any policy outlined for her acceptance by the powers that be, under the present regime? WhEn making the statement that the United States government is eXpending S3,000 peI year on each family living in the territory, why not, also, show fig ures setting forth amount taken out of Alaska each year whereby the largest corporations in the United States are reaping immense reve nues annually; cities are, as it were built over night, and the govern ment is drawing large revenues from the fur industry. Why not be fail and just? If the United States gov ernment is not receiving returns from many of the resources of the coun try, then the fault is on the part O. the government. There is nothing ar outsider can tell the business people of Alaska that they do not already know, but it is possible that the people of Alaska can tell something of value to the present cabinet, now discussing Alaska, were their ad vice and suggestions sought. Blu these discussinos are carried on by persons who do not even know the type of people residing in Alaska and without any advice to the ter ritory that such a discussion is tt be held
 No, Alaska is not a poor mans country but, if the indus tries are merely coming to Alaska to use it's resources for the whole benefit O. the United States proper, excluding Alaska, then their entry can do Al aska no good. And no one is more progressive than the writer, where progress is fair and just.
 AS to the canneries! Who are the people brought into Alaska te work at the canneries? Are they residents of Alaska or is it labor brought from the states in order that after the canning season is over this same labor may return to the states and there spend the earnings accrued in Alaska? l. this accidental or is it the result O careful planning? How about tht natives of Alaska? Whose busi ness is it to look after their wei fare and not make absolute pau pers of them? Why is there no em plOyment for them, that they may become useful and self-supportins thereby becoming better citizens?
 Visitors to Alaska are no more surprised at the intelligence and : high type of people met here" thar are Alaskans at the type of intel ligence manifested by visitors te