The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-02-06
FISHERMEN'S LEADERS WARN AGAINST VI0LENC
ALASKA SYSTEM W W|CKERSHAMI FOR AIR MAILTELLSP.-T,A A. OFF IS CONSIDERED ALASKA HISTORY
Program Is Also Replete with Many Other h.
 teresting Numbers

Before the most largely attended meeting of the Parent Teacher As sociation this year, Judge James Wickersharn, delegate-elect to Con- gress, gave an absorbingly interest ing talk on the High Lights ot Alaska History" He began by tell ing in eloquent words how this Northland owes its discovery to Peter the Great, enlightened ruler of semi-barbaric Russia, and to Catherine, born slave, whom the autocratic monarch stopped from a glittering throne first to embrace as his paramour and at last to exalt to sovereign grandeur as his Empress. The speaker recounteo how these powerful personages conceived the idea and executed the plan that sent Vitus Boring of, his mission to find what lay ir the vast unknown expanse between the west coast of America and the east coast of Siberia.
 Brief Mention of Explorers
 The judge briefly recalled the discovery achievements of Capt Alexie Chirikof and his adventur. GUS successors; the fur-trading ex- ploits of Stephen Glotof and his intrepid followers, among whom was included Alexander Baranof commonly called the first governor of Alaska, and the early settlement and development activities of othe, daring Muscovites.
 The speaker imparted familiar glimpses of Don Salvador Fidalgo Spanish mariner who gave Valde; port it's designation; of J. F. c. d. La Perouse, French navigator whose Port des Francais is knowr as Lituya Bay; of the dauntles 1 Englishmen, Capt. James Cook wl1s sailed the Inlet that bears his nam, and of Capt. George Vancouve, whose voyages have left an i'm perishable i'm press on northerr lands and seas.
 Geografay Is Fascinating No less fascinating than tn, history of discoveries is the geo graphy of this vast Territory, a. treated by the Judge. Cursor, knowledge of physical aspects solve many problems that long vexet scientific minds.
 "On a clear day in January, B years ago." the speaker said, ' stood on the promontory at Cap Prince of Wales, Alaska, and acros the Boring Straits, could see, 4 miles distant, East Cape, Siberia The Diomedies lie between, no quite midway. The natives on botl American and Asiatic shores lool alike, dress alike, speak the sam language. They inter-trade an. inter-marry. On both sides ar found relics of prehistoric animal of the same kind, the ages-old re mains of plant life of the sam sorts.
 | Straits Are Shallow
 The Straits and the sea nortl of them are shallow, only 18O fee deep-a vast plain covered by comparatively small amount o water. Not so long ago, considering the great antiquity of the world the plain was above the water an, the two continents were joined b. dry land"
 The Judge tersely mentionet Stewards purchase, the commercial fly romantic attempt of the West ern Union in the eos to build al all-land telegraph line from tn States to Boring Straits, then la a short submarine cable and con nect in Siberia with an all-lana line to countries of Europe. H referred to Alaska's wealth in fish cries, fur, timber and numerou Iother natural resources.
 "In 50 years, 1880 to 1930," h declared, "she has poured iron just her mineral treasure vault alone, into the lap of the world $500 ,OOo, ,o00-6OO months, $1.000,00 levery month"
 Critical of Schools
 Alaska schools do not teach Alas lka history and Alaska geograph. as these subjects should be taugh in this Territory, he insisted.
 we should Know Alaska Bet