The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-01-27
IS SECRETARY HYDE CONSISTENT?

Last week the National House Of Representatives rejected amendment to the Department of Agriculture Supply Bill which sought to provide funds for the continued operation of Agricultural Experiment Stations in Alaska. It was voted down, said an Associated Press despatch from Washing ton because Hyde said the stations were too far north to justify the expense
 The Matanuska experiment station which was specifically mentioned in the despatch, is ln the heart of the valley of that It is south of the Alaska Range. It is located in region typical of agricultural lying along the Alaska Rail- road between Anchorage and the Alaska Range. In the Panama Valley other extensive areas of farming lands adjacent to the Government owned railroad.
 Some two three years ago the management of the road with the approval of the Interior De- parment which is in charge of it's operation, realiz- ing that profitable operation could be made possible only through the upbulding of permanent popua- tion launched aggressive campaign for settlement by homeseaders of the regions suitable for farming Since that time it has expended a not inconsider- able sum for salaries and expenses Of one or two agents who have eanvassed widely separated agri- cultural communities in the States seeking to interest the right kind of individuals in Alaska farm lands. As result of this drive, a respectable num- Der of new settlers have been attracted to the districts and have taken up homesteads.
 If Secretary Hyde is correct in his contention that the Matanuska Experiment Station is too far north to justify the expenses of operation, then Secretary of Interior Wilbur has wronged those induced to transport themselves and families from the States at little expense to themselves, to the same region. Both cannot be right If it is not good public policy, which is ought to be the con- trolling reason for the expenditure of public funds even to conduct agricultural experiments because they too costly be justified by the benefits obtained. then it is reprehensive public policy to expend public funds to induce private individuals to go to the place to try to make living off the very industry. If the Government cannot afford experimentation in the industry, than no private individual can afford to undertake from practical standpoint.
 We believe that Secretary Hyde has undervalued the benefits of the work that the stations Alaska have done and the part they are playing in the de- velopment of agricultural industry in Alaska which will make 1t in large measure self-sustaining His opposition is serious, is shown by the fact that the House based it's rejection of the amendment upon it alone. The fact that those in charge of the work of the stations submitted estimates and recommended appropriations to them indicates they do not share the Secretarys view as to excess sive costs Apparently he has reached that con- clusion his account and is arbitrarily hold ing to it without regard for consistency
 Defeat in the House is, naturally diseouraging. It should not however. wholly dshearten Aaskans seeking to preserve the stations intact. The fight should be transferred to the Senate and waged there vigorously than ever. since in it rests the last chance to prevent the killing of work that really vital for the progress of agriculture ill the Territory and means a great deal to those who, trusting the Federal Government to play fair and square win them. have invested all they have in homesteads in the Territory.