The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-07-17
N0RBECK MAKES FINE I AL K TO CHAMBER
In lmpromptu Talk Sym pathizes with Alaskans
 Tn Their Problems

Alaska's problems, it's difficulties, are not so greatly different from those of other sections of the Unit ed States, and it's most common complaint, lack of understanding, i" IS heard in all parts of the land, the Chamber of Commerce was told today by Senator Peter Nor beck, South Dakota Republican who was the honor guest of the local organization.
 Admitting a lack of knowledge of Alaska and its resources and de- clinin gto express any opinion upon any local subject, he closed his talk by saying: You have no comprehension of the revenue that is going to come to you from the tourist business when Alaska is understood"
 Here To Learn
 His mission, he indicated, is to learn as much as possible about Alaska's wild life and other re- sources as is possible in the 30 days he will spend in the Terri tory. Some people think that a United States Senator ought to know everything, but he doesn't, the South Dakota solon remarked drily. "A certificate of election is no additional qualification" he added.
 Pleading unfamiliarity with Alas ka, he declined to express any opinion in advance of his 30-day study. And even at the end of that time he doesn't expect to be able to qualify as. an expert on the north. As he phrased it, he has spent lifetime in South Dakota and is just beginning to get ac- quainted with it and he doesn't see any reason why he should be expected to diagnose Alaska's ills and cure them in months stay. largely spent in travel.
 Similarity of Resources
 There is some similarity in the resources of Alaska and South Da- kota, he pointed out Although the latter is largely an agricultural state, it has mountains, it's famous Homestake mine which has pro- duced more than $26O00o.000 in gold since it was purchased for $75,000 by the father of William R. Hearst and still has long life ahead of it. His State produces some $8,- 500,000 annually in gold
 It has it's forests and 1t fought the movement to put them under Federal control as an unwarranted piece of interference with State government. But as we look back we are at least partly reconciled to It, since it has resulted in the preservation of the forests" he said. It was probably the wise mid dle ground.
 Mistakes in Government
 Alaska's plaint about mistakes made under a government so far away as Washington has been heard in other times and other Territor- tories. He, himself, born and rear ed in Dakota Territory heard and voiced the same complaint. And they are true now as then.
 But when we got self-govern- ment we found we, too, made mis- takes" he declared. And this will be Alaska's experience.
 There are two distinct views of conservation, he declared. In the West where the resources have not passed into private hands, it is a live question. And in the East, where the domain of the public and the resources on it are pri- vately owned, it is equally alive. From the latter comes the demand for conservation.
 And that's usually the case. Where one doesn't possess a thing, he wants the one who does pre- serve 1t.
 Lack of Understanding
 The most common complaint of all, is that i've are not understood Most of all our troubles are caused by lack of understanding. And this, he added, would continue. It can only be eradicated by educa- ton and time is required for that This nation is a new experiment. an effort to govern continent from one center" Within it's linn its there are many intra state con- flicts. Ignorance is still abundant regarding every section.
 Alaska is not in class by itself in that respect. It is common to many. Sometimes it seems useless to appeal to people who don't un- derstand and haven't the time to make the effort. It is, however. a question of maintenance of educa- tion until a majority of the people do understand.
 The people of any section of the United States are not more unfair than those in any other section, and can be depended on to be fair and reasonable when they under