The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-11-04
PRINCIPLE SIrPpORTS ALLOTMENT OF
 SEAL REVENUES.

Twice in the past six weeks, The Empire mas said editorally that British Columbia receives 'i' share of the seal revenues which is derived from the Pribiof Islands herds by Great Britain unoef the international treaty with the United States and Japan It was so stated what was believed to he good information We now advised by Commissioner Henry OMalley of the Bureau or Fisheries that this is 8 mistake. He LOOK up Ohe matter with Deputy Minister William A. Fouho ol the Dominion Fisheries Department ana the iaVIer replied "he total amount goes into the consohoa'eo revenues of the Federal Government" Thus, Great Britain under the treaty receives Is per cent Of the proceeds from the seal herds It in turn allo1s the entire sum it get to Canada. British Columoia does not get any Of It directly
 This however ooes not lessen Alaskas rlghtlui claim to share in the receipts that accrues to the United States This country does not now and nevar has modelled its philosophy of government after that of Canada. Its territorial policy since 1785 has been unlike that of any other nauon' anu was the outgrowth of the unfortunate experiences of the American colonies. Congress early oetermlheo that the United Staes should have liberal coioniai policy. one suited to the frontier conditions with which they were familiar. Briefly, thls was despned to insure that all of the natural resources, forests coal fisheries, lands, in fact every resource m and beneath the surface of the land and in the
 
 give that ownership the widest possible latitude m the use and development of all of them Historians are agreed it was that policy which made possible the rapid growth of the United States-a growth that populated the vast area lying between the Aleghanies and the Pacific Ocean and made It economically self sustaining in less than one cen tury.
 AS the nation grew to maturity, just about the time Alaska beginning to attract settlers ana
 oIopn iY the traditional policy. system was evolved Certain resources not already sequestered, including forests coal oil and waterpower were nationalized That is the title in them vested in perpetuty in the Federal Government Development of them was changed from ownership in fee simple basis to the leasing or rental system. From time to time as the necessary legislation was passed in the name of conservation, to preserve the nations interest III these resources the Congress has conceded the equity of the several States and territories in them by providing that they shall each receive share in the derived from utilization and devel opment.
 Conservation first appeared in the guise o national forests in 1905. In 1906, pursuant to Con gressional enactment 10 per cent of the revenues derived from these forests was turned over to thu several States embracing the timberlands held b. the Federal Government and in proportion to th sums derived not only from each State but Iron the counties within the State borders Later en actments have excessively raised this to 25 pc cent and in the of Alaska to 35 per cent
 When the Federal Gov-rnment nationalized tn waterpower resources of the public lands of tn country again Congress recognized this principle It expressly provided that 3712 per cent "of tn charges arising from licenses for the occu pancy and use of national forests, national park public lands and national monuments, from the de veopment within the boundaries of any State sha be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to sue State"
 When Congress passed the Alaska coal lands leas ing act in 1914 he identical principle agai recognized A short time before this Congress ha authorized the construction of the Alaska Raroa and appropriated funds from the Federal treasur for that purpose. When it opened up coal lands the Territory to lease, 1t provided that after tn receipts from them sufficient to defray tn railroad construction costs ALL receipts from coz leases and royalties would be paid to the Terrtor In this instance it expressly included revenues frol coal mines that might be operated by the Feeder, Government.
 Public lands containing oil, oil shale and smila resources were the latest to be opened to leash and development thereundsr. In February. l92 Congress threw open these lands on that basi And in so doing 1t expressly stipulated that 37 per cent of all amounts derived from bonuse royalties and rentals should be paid to the ind vidual States within the boundaries of which u leased lands deposits are or were located
 In 1925 Congress passed the present Alasl came Law. While that statute puts all game ar fur-bearing animals under Federal control It, to recognizes the equity the Territory has in tho resources. Under the provisions of the law, 50 p cent of al the gross receipts of the Alaska Game