The Daily Alaska empire., 1927-12-21
A REAL SELF-GOVERNMENT
 PROGRAM.


 venton asks in plain and unmistakable languag for the government of Alaska by the people 0 Alaska. The declarations so clear and ex plict that tho sham of the Controller Bil is brought out into startling relief. The Ketchikan platform blanks the eues tion of self-government clean cut that would be like painting the lily to attempt | state the case otherwise than by quoting;
 We earnestly recommend that
 all jurisdiction over the fisheries of
 Alaska be transferred from the Federal
 Government to the Legislature of AL
 aska The present attempted
 regulation is inefficient, uninteigent
 and results in gross injustice and fav-
 oritism.
 We recognize that the future devel-
 opment of the Territory depends upon
 acquiring a permanent population and
 believe that the Territorial control Of
 all resources would build up large
 and desirable citizenry.
 We look forward to Statehood for
 Alaska in the future Preparatory
 to Statehood the Territory should be
 accorded the fullest measure of terri
 torial self-government including control
 of the fisheries and game and the power
 of county organization wherever de-
 sirable. and representation in the Leg
 islature according to population.
 We believe Tn nome rue LOT tAidSfs"
 and to that end we not only favor
 full territorial form of government, but
 we believe that all Federal offices in
 the Territory should be filled through
 the appointment of bona fde resident
 Alaskans.
 Compare that program with the Controile Bill which adds not a scntilla of authority t that already possessed by the people but simpi rearranges some of the ministerial details. Com pare it with the Controller Bill in the light c the record which shows that Delegate Suthei land, the big leader of the Controller Bill outh co-operaeed in rigging up the White Law whie definitely places the control of the fisheries l the hands of the Federal Government and make one man an absolute dictator in the premises Consider it in the light of MT Sutherland successful efforts to place the control of tn game definitely in the hands of the Federi Goyernment Consider it in the light of tn circumstance that MT Sutherland has been l Congress for nearly years and has mad not a single move to secure greater powers frol the Federal Government for the people of Alaski The Ketchikan platform asks that the Let islature be given County Government,
 Judge Wickershams Territorial governmef law specifically withholds that power from til Territorial Legislature MT. Sutherland says is still opposed to County governments.
 Why the opposition! IS It oeeause No"i' governments are close 10 the people? Beeau' they would permit the people through local chosen Boards of County Commissioners or Supe visors to have jurisdiction over roads and Il collection and expenditure of taxes? Is 1t b cause the people would have power to choo ,beir own Sherins Probate Judges, Justices inc Peace, etc? Is it because we would ha' government as directly responsible to the peep as are our present municipal governments?
 Gan anyone be so ignorant that he cahh detect the fraud in campaign Tor the 70 troller Bill labeled ''self government?
 The fact is that those who sprung the Co troller Bill are and have always been, oppose to self-goyernment for Alaska, and have intr anooa a spurious measure in order to hoodwlI ina neople. The Empire does not believe the pc n,a are as foolish as their would-be explolte seem to think.
 The Empire does not believe that the peep ,yu, hermit those who would palm off the spu ;ous Controller Bill for self-government measu :, fool them into thinking that 1t would a,r;cult to secure a full Territorial form of go comment measure from Congress. Congress ,,aap granting full Territorial form of gover ,oent with it's county organizations, to Ter ,or,es for century Only in the case or Alas has # been denied, and it has been denied Alaska because Alaska's representatives at was ,nyton. except in the midst Of the war perls a,d mt want it and invited the denlai.
 uAIJRIYT FISHERMEN ACT.