The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-07-05
Our Inter-Departmental Board.
(Ketchikan Chronicle.)

Our optic nerves were disturbed few days ago. Possibly not properly, but nevertheless, disturbed. Standing the dock saw that worthy ship the Boxer, of the Bureau of Education, going through It loaded to the guards and not only that but had on its deck lumber, piled eight feet high or possibly This lumber from Washington, Oregon, or possibly Tmbuctoo. We were not thoroughly advised. But this did know It did not come from Alaska. It was, wera informed to be used in the construction of Federal school houses for the education of the natives. It was and is difficult for us, and for many other Aaskans to realize why these native other children could not be quite well educated in a building constructed of Alaska spruce hem lock.
 | That also brings up another thought. Our in- formation is that at Wrangel, Juneau and Ket- chkan there three road projects under lstructon. In each of these cases, the Government cation or otherwise, fir lumber shipped from the South We cannot look with pleasure such a situation.
 Further information is that governmental agen- ces have virtually identical construction jobs under way, that in one case they using Alaska hem lock and in another fir imported from the States. In Juneau, Wrangell and Ketchikan these three projects referred to, under the Department ot Agriculture using lumber imported from the States. Yet the Department has control of the Alaska forests, particularly in Southeastern Alaska We point to another instance. The agricul- tural station at Matanuska is being constructed of lumber imported from the States. This agricul- tural station is under the direction of the same Department which has in charge the management | of the great National Forests. If these forests are any good, and we claim that they of in- estmabe wealth, why does not this De- partment show proper consideration for its own child? Why not specify Alaskan lumber which will serve quite well?
 Many years ago clerk in Washington specified fir lumber for certain Alaskan build ings about to be constructed No one in Wash
 ngton has awakened to the fact that condi- tions may have changed to the degree that there are Alaskan mills with millions invested, which may for the needs.
 1 Now, the Lighthouse Service the Bureau Of Fisheries the Coast and Geodetic Survey, for their wants have shown preference for the Alaskan products, and indications that they did so with general satisfaction.
 Likewise, the Alaska Railroad, under the man. agement of Col Ohlson, has shown a remarkable He has been working for this not only in the North but in the States as well, and on every occasion with due regard for economy has given Alaska, apparently first consideration
 1 At Juneau we have Inter-Department Board consisting of the Governor Charles H. Flory head of the Forestry Service in the Territory, and Den his Vim, of the Bureau of Fisheries We wonder if they had stood, as we did, on the dock watch ing the Boxer go by, loaded with lumber and know ing there two sawmils at Ketchkan ct IWrangell and one at Juneau either idle or not burdened with orders what their reaction would have been.
 May hope for something from them? May we hope that they will impress Washington
 that in the preparations of plans and specifications
 for buildings and road projects and other work that as far as practicable, they designate Alaskan
 products that they favor that last frontier of the , Nation, that they aid that country which hay
 been told this and other administrations were and
 are desirous of helping? We hope so!