The Nome nugget., 1927-04-09

Senator Jones of Washington. You may pro- eeed Governor Sulzer.
 MIR sULZER. MT Chairman and Senators, your time is limited, and limited time is valuable and so I shall be brief.
 No one knows Alaska better than do. I have spent much of my life in Alaska have been there 27 times It is sad commentary on the people of our country that few know anything about Alaska. There is more ignorance in our land regarding Alaska than any other part of the world. If I had time and could tell you the story of the three great parts of Alaska, southeastern Alaska southwestern Alaska and northern Alaska you would be tremendously surprised.
 Many years ago. standing the floor of the United States Senate Charles Sumner voiced this sentiment that the two greatest agencies of civil zation are good roads and good schools. At that time We had good schools in country but We had poor roads. Since then have built won derful roads throu ghout the United States. Those roads have done more to help the country than any ether single agency in it. This work in our land is going on The Government is doing splendid work for the people in that connection.
 For many years while I Member of Congress I talked in and out of season for good roads. and the first man in Congress 10 do it. After resigned from Congress. old friend and colleague. General Bankhead, took up the cause and finally the bill went through and all we predicted regarding those roads for the United States has
 To-day want you visualize in brief way. the importance of good roads in Alaska. Alaska is vast empire, of nearly 600,000 square miles, about fifth of the entire United States It is the cheapest piece of real estate purchased in the history of the world since Abraham bought the Cave of Machpeah. It cost the Government of the United States less than cents We paid Russia s7,2O0,oOO for Alaska and one lit le creek three miles long in northern Alaska has produced twice that amount of money in gold Alaska has paid for itself in actual wealth 672 times what it cost the taxpayers of the United States. Alaska is the richest possession under the American Flag. In the coming years, and speak any State in the Union.
 Sinse have acquired it have neglected it. We done very little for Alaska, consider ing the amount of money we have taken out of AL aska We have not given Alaska per cent of the amount.
 What Alaska needs today more than anything tranSpOTtaLOn SpeG0V communication. Alaska is divided into innumerable mining districts, most of which inaccessible. all of which inaccessible except those districts which have communication by railroad or by water.
 Many years ago when member of the Military Affairs Committee of the House of Rep resentatives, put the appropriation bill rider g law to build roads and trails in Alaska explained then how important these roads and trails were. and although in those days 1t very hard to get much money. got little every year. and Major Richardson then sent up there by the War Department to do the work. He did fine work in Alaska. It is . monument to him.
 Now have road builder in Alaska ond to none on earth. General Steese Last sum- mer went all the roads. what Gen. eral Steese has done and is doing, and was ased at what he has accomplished, considering the small amount of money the Government has given him. He has . constructive program. because he
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