The Daily Alaska empire., 1927-11-26
THE WILFULLY BLIND.

None are so blind as those who wilfully de- cline to is saying that through the usage of years has become rather threadbare but none the less contains much truth the day it first uttered. It might have been said of those who are seeking to depict Alaska being throtted by Federal bureaucrats and without Territorial Government
 To quote widely circulated form letter, sent to Alaska from Washington blind sigma ture and in blank envelope, Do you know that Federal Bureaus and Federal appointed ifcials have stranglehold the .Admnstra- ton of our Territorial Government as we'll on Federal afairs?'
 Do you know it? If so, just how did you acquire that knowledge? Has there been any waste of Territorial funds by these so-called Fed eral bureaucrats? Have they given away sold any of your patrmony? Have road and trail funds been diverted from the purposes for which they were set aside by the Legislature? Can you point to misfesance, mafeasance nonfeasance in office by any of them? In short does your knowledge of the situation incline you to be- lieve, has it convinced you that there has been usurpation of powers by Federal officials to the disadvantage of the Territory and the cost of it's inhabitants, that Federal Bureaus have arrogated to themselves powers bestowed on Alas kans through their Legislatureg
 Of course, it doesn't No can, or does, claim ursurpation Even those who would bring about the establishment of a form of Terri torial administration offer proof of 'strange- hold" There mouthings of the Governor doing this that thing; of the Secretary of the Territory performing this that duty; of a Treasurer, appointed by the Governor, a Com missioner of Education elected by five men four of them duly elected Senators and the fifth the Governor, a Highway Engineer appointed by the Governor, and other appointments. Bui where does the Governor get these appointiye powers? The answer to this is the refutatior of the charge of domination of Territorial affairs by Federal bureaucrats It was bestowed on hin by the Alaska Legislature, members of which were elected by popular vote. He, and those whom he appoints, answerable to the Leg islature and through 4 to tho neonle of thu S Territory
 Men elected hy maiorities of the voters il < the several Divisions. sent here to enact neees sary legislation to provide for the maintenance Of schools the building of roads and trails. fo pensions tc mothers and aged pioneers and to do tn myriad of other things which go into the mak ing of the Territorial government had to devis some method of administration Believing tha ! economy of administration and simplicity of pro eedure were paramount virtues. they decided utilize the offices of the Governor, the Territoria Secretary, and other Federal machinery alread 5 in existence. In following out this decisio each Legislature has authorized such officers Z perform specific duties And in so doing the \ did not lose any of the rights prerogative possessed by the Territory it's citizens.
 The system is simple. efficient and economic $ 1t has stood the test of Is years better tha even those who devised it could have foreseer During period in which administrative costs c {;overnment have lowered mountainously high, |